Amidst Donald Trump’s controversial presidency that has seen some feats in policy, as well as stylistic ineptitude, I’ve started reading Trump: The Art of the Deal. Actually, I began reading it in February of 2016, during the period in which the sane, but naive, believed he was a total joke who could never win. I was among the naive sane people. Nevertheless, I began reading his book almost as a joke to myself, but also to understand the thought process of someone perceived as either an intelligence-deprived maniac or a crystal ball-wielding genius. Now done with the book, I thought I might openly reflect on Trump: The Art of the Deal. This is not a review or critique of any kind. Rather, these are some conclusions I’ve come to as a result of reading the book, as well as some lingering questions, given the possibility that Trump is giving us the full truth in the book.
It is rumored, especially by the President, that Trump: The Art of the Deal is a book used in business courses, or at least one that should be. I’m confused on why. The autobiography reflects nothing more than the methodology of Donald Trump, according to Donald Trump, and is more of a memoir in many ways. There are some lessons sprinkled throughout, especially some about the manipulation of the press (more on that later), how the interest and flow of the market should always be kept in mind, and some fairly common business sense like “location, location, location.” Otherwise, Donald Trump discusses the time he assaulted a music teacher over their lack of knowledge about music (nice one, Don), personal thoughts about the gambling industry, other industry titans, and the incompetence of public officials, ranging from New York mayors to Presidents. If what he says is true about said industry titans, it’s fairly fascinating and revealing about many rich people. And he uses some hilarious exchanges with business buddies and foes in his life to show how great he allegedly is at negotiating, while using some pretty funny phrases in the process, though I suspect Tony Schwartz was the driving force behind that.
Overall, The Art of the Deal is a fun book to read. It never appears that dry, unless you’re completely disinterested in the subject matter, which occurred from time to time. Otherwise, the recounting of Trump’s life in order to foster a sense of the way in which he operates publicly and in negotiations is fairly entertaining. I never really came to the conclusion that he was such a legendary dealmaker, just because there are implications of deals that fell through, as he kinds of hints at it in passing. For example, in discussing his battle with the NFL and his issue of their monopoly status, the story is one of loss, and one I encourage readers to look up, but he frames it in a way that it should have been a win but ultimately was not.
So I just have a few lingering questions, Mr. Trump, after reading your favorite book of all-time. First of all, what is your primary negotiating tactic? You suggest strong-arming people is good, as well as exploiting their weaknesses and never revealing your weakness yourself, but other than that, there is no central negotiating tactic by which everything is woven.
Secondly, and this is fairly obvious, but how can you be so prideful even through the lowest moments in your life. Even in the music teacher-pummeling instance, you seem to not feel one bit of remorse, or even remark it as a bad moment in your life, but rather a building block in what has made you who you are.
Third, where is your discussion of the real underpinnings of Taj Mahal. I think we all know, by this point, the degree to which it failed and how much contractors were negatively impacted, but there is no mention of such a thing. But I guess when you’re a man with no shame, admitting you’ve done someone wrong is nothing but a roadblock.
There are some other more minor concerns I have, but those are ones I will put aside for the moment. The Art of the Deal was a fun read for multiple reasons. First, it widened my perspective as far as New York real estate goes, importantly. Second, it helped me understand the way public officials and some executives work and how, according to The Donald, how they buckle under pressure. Third, it confirmed by belief that the private sector is generally more efficient than the public sector and can ultimately be held more accountable for their wrongdoings. And finally, The Art of the Deal really shows how The Donald thinks. He is a rather selfish and self-interested man whose only objective is to win. Whether it is to build the world’s tallest building or just prove that even one of the world’s mightiest enterprises could come crashing down, Donald Trump always strives to complete the biggest challenges in life. In my view, this is often for the worst and not the better, but it is fascinating nonetheless, and offers a perspective into Trump’s manipulative techniques with the press and with the public. Thanks for the read, Mr. President!
Sincerely,
Brandon McIntyre
King & Queen's Beans & Things 