ART OF THE DEAL : Redux

I've been re-reading the Art of the Deal and find that Donald Trump has not really changed since Tony Schwarz wrote about him. The important lesson that comes from the book is that Trump is a loner when it comes to decision making. The test is always, "What is best for Trump?”  If cooperation is required, he makes a deal. If the deal is made, but he sees a better one, he will break the deal using all possible means.

To quote Trump, "I'm the first to admit that I am very competitive and that I will do ANYTHING within legal BOUNDS to win." (emphasis add: Art of the Deal (1987) p. 108). ANYTHING means any action to achieve the personal goal, ethically or unethically. BOUNDS means if I can't win I will sue you and we'll see what the legal bounds are. Oh! by the way I have more money than you and  law suits are expensive and time consuming -- so try me! Or, if I can't win, I'll walk away and claim victory.

These are good rational arguments for a business and a businessman responsible only for himself - take the risk and reap the rewards or pay the price. But, they are not the qualities one looks for in a leader of a Democracy who is elected to protect and balance the interests of the Nation and its people.

 There are times when you can't threaten to just walk away if you personal feelings are hurt. You have relationships that are long standing deals and practices that been made by your predecessors and that you are obligated to fulfill.

In Art of the Deal, one sees a young Donald Trump whose primary interest is money over tradition and who is pragmatic when it comes to his interests. See his attitude toward the customers for space in Trump Tower (p. 184 -185) and his attitude toward the New York establishment.

On p. 186 -7, he shows his personal need to glorify himself after seeing the apartment of a Saudi billionaire in a rival apartment building.

Loyalty is important to Trump, but it is a one way street. "You be loyal to me, if not "YOUR FIRED!"  How many has he fired? Can he change and be as loyal to America and the American people as he demands they be loyal to him?

 We have seen in the three years that the character in the book has found no redemption. Let us pray that The Art of the Leader is not the 2020 sequel. That is, it never is written.