Former US President Donald Trump is about to make a historic return to the White House. The 78-year-old called the result against Kamala Harris a “great victory for the American people.” As Republicans celebrate this milestone, Donald Trump’s legacy and actions continue to captivate the public. Many have attempted to understand the complexities of Donald Trump’s life through the lens of documentaries. They offer a range of perspectives on his rise to power, his controversies and his presidency.

Let’s look at five such documentaries:

1) Trump: What’s going on? (1991): Originally manufactured in 1991, Trump: What’s going on? delves deep into Donald Trump’s real estate venture and business empire in the early ’90s. It offers insight into his rise in the real estate world and his development of major projects in New York City. The documentary paints a portrait of Trump as a businessman and details his successes and challenges. It is available on streaming platforms such as YouTube and can be purchased on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

2) The apprentice (2024): The apprenticea biographical film by Ali Abbasi, takes you on a journey to witness Donald Trump’s transformation from budding businessman to real estate tycoon. Set in gritty New York in the 1970s and 1980s, the film stars Sebastian Stan as a young Trump, Jeremy Strong as his controversial mentor Roy Cohn and Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump. This biographical drama focuses on the years of Trump’s rise, revealing his ambition and the influence that shaped the man who would eventually dominate the business world and later enter politics.

3) The Accidental President (2020): Director: James Fletcher, The Accidental President examines the factors behind Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 US presidential election. Using a mix of archival footage, interviews and snapshots of public opinion, the documentary examines how Trump effectively connected with the American public while highlighting Hillary Clinton’s campaign missteps. The film offers insight into how this dynamic led to Donald Trump’s unexpected victory.

4) Biography: The Trump Dynasty (2019): This three-part miniseries looks at the life of Donald Trump and covers three generations of the Trump family. Using exclusive archival footage and first-hand accounts, the documentary traces the family’s journey from the Klondike Gold Rush to the rise of Donald Trump’s New York real estate empire. It covers his early years in Queens, his real estate ventures, and his transformation into a prominent businessman, culminating in his 2016 presidential campaign. It is available on Prime Video.

5) Trump: An American Dream (2017): This is a four-part documentary series chronicling the life of Donald Trump, from his early days as a real estate mogul to his rise to the presidency. The series provides an in-depth look at his career through archival footage and interviews with key figures who shaped his influence and were shaped by him. Set against the backdrop of America’s changing political, media and economic landscape, the series paints a vivid picture of Donald Trump’s rise and the broader societal changes he has both influenced and reflected. The series can be streamed on Netflix.