This isn’t about Donald Trump as a president, a nice guy, or someone you’d want as a friend. He might be the worlds best bull crap tosser. It’s about his raw, ruthless ability to negotiate and get what he wants. He knows how to get under people’s skin, push their buttons, and exploit their vulnerabilities. You don’t want to be on the other side of a negotiating table with him. Most of the techniques he uses, I wouldn’t—but if my life depended on it, if I needed someone to negotiate me out of a dire situation, I’d call him in a heartbeat.
Let me tell you a story from my own past. When I was young, I got myself into nice business deal, and then the stock market crashed. My investor pulled out, a nice and very wealthy man called the same day, he had to take line of credit grantee and take his cash out of the bank. I was in the hole 4 million dollars, no cash, no credit. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, my bank decided to close my line of credit, effectively putting my company on the path to destruction.
Desperate to keep things afloat, I negotiated with them. I convinced them to give me a little more time. They agreed—on one condition. I had to personally guarantee the line of credit and put in some of my own money to pay it down. It was a gamble, but I had no other choice. I took my personal money, wrote the check, and handed it over. They smiled, shook my hand, and we all went home.
Then they stabbed me in the back. The very next day, they shut down my line of credit, took my money, and effectively bankrupted my company. They played me. They knew exactly what they were doing, and they did it without hesitation.
That moment was a turning point. I remembered something Donald Trump once said: When you owe a million dollars, you’re a delinquent. When you owe 100 million dollars, you have negotiating power.
But this was back in the day when you could actually drive to a branch bank, do a transaction, and the other branches wouldn’t know about it until the next day or more. Checks took two or three days to clear, and life was a lot slower and easier. So, I drove to another branch of the bank, put a stop payment on the check I had given them, and managed to outmaneuver them. I wrote another check, converted it into a cashier’s check, and deposited it into an account under another business name. That move kept me from getting completely wiped out by the bank.
Two days later, I got a very polite call from the bank. “I thought we had a deal.”
I didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, but you guys reneged on the deal. So now, we’re negotiating the deal.”
I didn’t owe 100 million dollars, but what the bank did was so shady—even by their own standards—that they had no choice but to renegotiate the deal. I forced them back to the table, and I walked away with a deal that kept me in business.
Thank you, Donald Trump, for helping me in that situation.
Business is not for the faint of heart or for nice people. If you think playing fair will get you ahead, you’ll be stabbed in the back and left for dead before you ever get anywhere. And if you think it’s bad in the U.S., don’t fool yourself. The Chinese, the Japanese, the French, the Germans, the Mexicans—none of them are any nicer. If anything, they’re worse.
Negotiation isn’t about fairness. It’s about power. And sometimes, survival means being willing to fight just as dirty as the other side. The Art of the Deal is worth the read there is a synopsis below..
Listen to Barbara Corcoran take on the Trump crazy technique.
So what are peoples take on Trump the Negotiator.
1. Trump’s Communication & Persuasion Skills
- Many commenters praise Trump’s ability to go off on a tangent during speeches but always come back to his original point, making him an effective and engaging speaker.
- His salesmanship and ability to read people’s weaknesses and motivations are seen as a “superpower” by some.
- Some compare his speaking style to reverse psychology or strategic distraction, designed to disarm people before making his key point.
Quote:
“It amazes me that every single time he goes off on some tangent and you wonder where he is headed, he always gets back on track.”
2. His Ability to Negotiate and Close Deals
- Commenters discuss his negotiation skills, particularly in business and politics.
- Many attribute his success to his ability to listen, read people, and exploit vulnerabilities to close deals.
- Some see his persuasion as a gift necessary for diplomacy, while others view it as manipulative.
Quote:
“Listening is a salesperson’s secret weapon.”
3. Perceptions of Trump’s Leadership
- Many believe Trump genuinely cares about America and is willing to risk his personal safety for its betterment.
- Some think he’s the strong leader America needs, especially in international relations.
- Others argue that his aggressiveness in negotiations makes him a strong geopolitical figure.
Quote:
“If you think about that skill, it’s exactly what a president needs for international relations.”
4. Criticism of Trump’s Tactics
- Detractors argue that Trump’s skills resemble those of a con artist rather than a strategic leader.
- Some mention his bankruptcies as proof that he’s not as great of a businessman as his supporters claim.
- Critics highlight his ability to manipulate people by playing on emotions and fears.
Quote:
“So being a con man makes him a good salesman?”
5. Polarization: Love or Hate Relationship
- A recurring theme is how people either love or hate Trump, but they still pay attention to him.
- Some note how liberals once liked Trump before he entered politics and became a Republican.
Quote:
“Either you love me or hate me, you’re gonna vote for me.”
6. Legacy & Future Leadership
- Many comments indicate that Trump’s leadership style is unique and that history will remember him, whether in a positive or negative light.
- Some believe he will return to power and that his salesmanship skills will help him win another election.
Quote:
“That’s why he will turn our country around and make it great again.”
The Art of the Deal
Here’s a detailed synopsis and chapter breakdown of Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal, along with notable quotes from each chapter:
Synopsis:
The Art of the Deal is a part memoir, part business guidebook written by Donald Trump and Tony Schwartz. Published in 1987, the book outlines Trump’s business philosophy, strategies, and achievements. It serves both as a narrative of his career up to that point and as a guide for readers looking to understand the mindset and tactics of a successful dealmaker.
The book emphasizes themes like passion, persistence, negotiation, and attention to detail. Trump walks readers through his daily routines, his deals, and the principles he believes are the foundation of success.
Chapter Breakdown:
Chapter 1: “Dealing – A Week in the Life”
Trump recounts a typical week, showcasing his relentless work ethic and diverse projects. From real estate to media appearances, he emphasizes multitasking and staying ahead.
Notable Quote:
“I like thinking big. If you’re going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big.”
Chapter 2: “The Elements of the Deal”
This chapter outlines Trump’s key principles for making deals, such as knowing your market, using leverage, and thinking creatively. He stresses preparation and confidence.
Notable Quote:
“You can’t con people, at least not for long. You can create excitement, you can do wonderful promotion and get all kinds of press, and you can throw in a little hyperbole. But if you don’t deliver the goods, people will eventually catch on.”
Chapter 3: “Growing Up”
Trump discusses his upbringing, focusing on his father’s influence, his early interest in real estate, and his education at the Wharton School of Business.
Notable Quote:
“My father taught me to never beg. You don’t ask. You tell. And you always want to deliver more than you promise.”
Chapter 4: “The Cincinnati Kid: Prudence Pays”
Trump shares the story of his early ventures, including his involvement in a Cincinnati real estate deal. The focus is on calculated risk-taking.
Notable Quote:
“Sometimes your best investments are the ones you don’t make.”
Chapter 5: “The Move to Manhattan”
Trump describes his ambition to move from Brooklyn to Manhattan, highlighting his first major projects, such as the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Notable Quote:
“You have to convince people of the value of what you’re offering. Showmanship counts.”
Chapter 6: “Grand Hotel”
This chapter delves into Trump’s redevelopment of the Commodore Hotel into the Grand Hyatt. He discusses navigating government bureaucracy and securing financing.
Notable Quote:
“Deals work best when each side gets something it wants from the other.”
Chapter 7: “Trump Tower”
The development of Trump Tower is a central achievement in the book. Trump details the planning, marketing, and execution that made the project iconic.
Notable Quote:
“The final key to the way I promote is bravado. I play to people’s fantasies.”
Chapter 8: “Gaming”
This chapter focuses on Trump’s entry into the casino business in Atlantic City, highlighting the importance of partnerships and timing.
Notable Quote:
“Sometimes by losing a battle, you find a new way to win the war.”
Chapter 9: “Castle”
Trump explains the creation of Trump Castle and his competitive spirit in Atlantic City’s casino industry.
Notable Quote:
“Compete fiercely, but never lose sight of your goals.”
Chapter 10: “Entertainment”
Trump discusses his involvement in the entertainment world, from the Miss Universe pageant to various media ventures. He emphasizes staying relevant.
Notable Quote:
“Good publicity is preferable to bad, but from a bottom-line perspective, bad publicity is sometimes better than no publicity at all.”
Chapter 11: “The Trump Card”
The final chapter synthesizes Trump’s philosophy, emphasizing perseverance, adaptability, and thinking long-term.
Notable Quote:
“The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it.”
The Art of the Deal is both a reflection of Trump’s early business career and a practical guide for aspiring dealmakers. Its recurring themes include the importance of passion, resilience, and strategic thinking.
Donald J. Trump has authored and co-authored several books over the years, covering topics such as business, personal development, politics, and his personal experiences.Here’s a chronological list of his publications:
- Trump: The Art of the Deal (1987)
- Trump: Surviving at the Top (1990)
- Trump: The Art of the Comeback (1997)
- The America We Deserve (2000)
- Trump: How to Get Rich (2004)
- Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know About Success, Real Estate, and Life (2004)
- Why We Want You to Be Rich: Two Men, One Message (2006) – co-authored with Robert Kiyosaki
- Trump 101: The Way to Success (2006)
- Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life (2007) – co-authored with Bill Zanker
- Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges into Success (2008)
- Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education in Business and Life (2009)
- Time to Get Tough: Making America #1 Again (2011)
- Midas Touch: Why Some Entrepreneurs Get Rich—and Why Most Don’t (2011) – co-authored with Robert Kiyosaki
- Trump Tower (2011) – a novel
- Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again (2015)
- Our Journey Together (2021)
- Letters to Trump (2023)
- Save America (2024)
His only book I have read is ‘The Art of Deal” , I might try reading some of the others if I have the time. Let me know if you read any of the others.
0
