Random Strange Facts About Donald Trump's Childhood (15 items)

(#4) His Nickname in Middle School Was Donnie
Trump attended the Kew-Forest School until the end of eighth grade. His friends there called him Donnie. Somehow, it's just difficult to imagine "The Donald" as "The Donnie."
(#2) Trump Was a Multi-Sport Athlete in High School

At the New York Military Academy, Donald Trump was a star on the diamond, the field, and the pitch. He was a varsity player on the baseball, football, and soccer teams at the academy. Former classmate Ted Levine told Business Insider:
"He was just the best, a good athlete, a great athlete. He could have probably played pro ball as a pitcher. I think he threw 80 miles an hour. I was the catcher. He made my hand black and blue every day … Could he play football? Could he play soccer? He could do anything he wanted. He was physically and mentally gifted.”
(#1) He Punched His Second-Grade Music Teacher in the Face

In his 1987 book The Art of the Deal, Trump writes about how, even as a child, he had strong convictions.
"In the second grade I actually gave a teacher a black eye — I punched my music teacher because I didn't think he knew anything about music and I almost got expelled. I'm not proud of that, but it's clear evidence that even early on I had a tendency to stand up and make my opinions known in a very forceful way. The difference now is that I use my brain instead of my fists."
(#13) Donald Was Not the First in Line to Inherit His Father's Business

Donald Trump's success was certainly aided by what he learned from his father. Trump was able to learn the real estate business and apprentice under his father until venturing out on his own. This was not originally the plan, though, as Fredrick Jr., Trump's older brother, seemed to have that right.

Freddy, however, had no interest in real estate, allowing Donald to become "The Donald."
(#15) He Would Never Admit He Was Wrong

One of young Donald's more "braggadocious" qualities was his complete and total unwillingness to admit his own error. Friends recall him doubling down on incorrect information rather than admitting defeat. In one particular instance of this behavior, The Donald incorrectly referred to professional wrestler Antonino Rocca as Rocky Antonino.

However, no matter how much teasing his friends piled on, he refused to back down and admit defeat, despite the fact that he was objectively wrong.
(#8) Trump Commandeered His Brother's Blocks for His First Tower

As a real estate mogul, it probably makes sense that Trump got his start - and his shark-like instincts - off the ground at an early age. A passage in The Art of the Deal, his 1987 book, about how he needed to borrow his brother's building blocks explains:
"I ended up using all of my blocks, and then all of his, and when I was done, I'd created a beautiful building. I liked it so much that I glued the whole thing together. And that was the end of Robert's blocks."