Introduction
Summary of the Book The Making of Donald Trump by David Cay Johnston. Before moving forward, let’s take a quick look at the book. Before your eyes lies a figure you may think you know. He emerged over decades of media exposure, reality television, and constant headline coverage. A businessman, a leader, a public sensation—yet so often portrayed in glowing, triumphant terms. The true character is not found in magazine covers or polished interviews, but in the murky details of legal documents, unsettled debts, secretive dealings, and broken promises. As you journey into this hidden world, imagine peeling away layers of glossy paint to discover rotting wood beneath. He becomes more than a symbol or a brand; he is a complex figure formed by cunning maneuvers, intimidation, reinvention, and a refusal to play by rules others accept. In understanding his past, you begin to see how easily public images can mask unsettling realities.
Chapter 1: The Carefully Staged Mirage of a Bold Businessman’s Public Personality Crafted Over Decades.
Imagine a grand magician who dazzles audiences with illusions so convincing that viewers believe every trick without question. That is how Donald Trump built his public image: by orchestrating events, stories, and appearances that shaped him into the ultimate self-made success story. Long before he became a political figure, Trump understood that media headlines and TV interviews could serve as powerful tools, allowing him to carefully control how people saw him. He knew that if he gave reporters something flashy and exciting, they would often run with it, leaving little time to check whether it was genuine. Through deliberate planning, strategic showmanship, and a firm understanding of the press’s hunger for sensational news, Trump created a persona so polished and confident that millions of people believed it wholeheartedly.
To do this, Trump realized he had to become a household name associated with massive skyscrapers, luxury casinos, and glamorous events. He threw himself into the spotlight with clever publicity stunts and grand announcements that would play well on television or in print. He invited cameras into places others might keep private, staging gatherings that looked spontaneous but were carefully planned. If something threatened to tarnish this shining image, he would quickly pivot, offer another story, or find a new angle that made him look even more incredible. Every appearance was part of the broader narrative he wanted the world to absorb: Donald Trump as the ultimate winner, the man who could solve any problem, close any deal, and transform even the dullest venture into a golden opportunity.
Not only did he embrace the spotlight, but he also mastered the art of feeding journalists tailor-made stories. He understood that reporters often work under intense deadlines and cannot always investigate every claim deeply. By delivering ready-to-publish tales complete with dramatic details and camera-ready images, Trump could direct the coverage towards his desired themes. If a journalist did not dig too deep, the public got exactly what Trump wanted them to see: a glittering picture devoid of the messy truth. Over the years, he learned to drip-feed newspapers and TV channels just enough sensational material, ensuring that the myth of his business genius grew larger. This method granted him tremendous influence over what people heard, read, and ultimately believed about him.
From the earliest days of his career, Trump’s skill at controlling the narrative included bending facts, hiding controversies, and staging enthusiastic supporters. One notorious example took place in 2015 when he announced his presidential run. The crowd in the lobby of Trump Tower appeared incredibly devoted, cheering and waving signs. Yet many of these supporters were paid actors, instructed to clap and smile on cue. Long before that, during the 1970s, he had transformed a legal settlement requiring him to rent to non-white tenants into a press release painting himself as utterly blameless. Over time, he refined these tactics, ensuring that whenever the public peeked behind the curtain, they saw exactly what he wanted them to see: a confident leader destined for greatness.
Chapter 2: Hidden Strings and Invented Voices: Inside the Art of Feeding Fake Identities to the Media.
Beyond simply supplying reporters with convenient stories, Trump went so far as to masquerade under fictional names to steer coverage in his favor. It was as if he played a dual role on a grand stage, both leading actor and stagehand, controlling the spotlight. In the 1980s, for instance, he called newspapers pretending to be John Barron or John Miller, two made-up spokesmen who sang praises of Donald Trump. By taking on these invented identities, he could compliment himself shamelessly, deny unpleasant rumors, and project an image of a sought-after man constantly wooed by celebrities. This bizarre approach allowed him to mold public perception without being directly questioned.
When Trump disguised his voice and claimed to be an official within his own company, he offered journalists tailor-made quotes supporting whatever narrative he wished to promote. If someone hinted that a treasured artifact vanished during a demolition project, John Barron would call a reporter and explain the situation in a way that minimized suspicion. If public whispers suggested that famous actresses were drawn to Trump, John Miller might tell a magazine how overwhelmed his boss was by attention from dazzling stars. These deceitful performances blurred the line between reality and fiction, convincing some people that any rumor could be twisted to fit a positive storyline about Trump.
Such impersonations gave Trump a secret weapon: he could guide stories without appearing as the source. This was more than just a publicity trick; it was a strategic way to rewrite history in real time. By controlling what journalists heard, he influenced what the public believed. With each phone call, he honed his skill at manipulating narratives, learning exactly what details reporters needed to create gripping stories. When accusations arose, he knew how to respond quickly, deflecting criticism and strengthening his heroic image. Over years, these methods showed Trump how easily people could be fooled, and how simple it was to shape an image so compelling that few dared question its authenticity.
This duplicity also taught Trump a crucial lesson: if you offer a confident and entertaining explanation, many people won’t doubt your words. The media, hungry for big scoops, often lacked the time or resources to fully fact-check every sensational claim. That gave Trump the upper hand, allowing him to feed the press the stories he wanted told. From faking identities to staging enthusiastic crowds, all these acts were steps in building an alternate reality around himself. He learned that bold claims and vivid stories spread faster than careful truths. By the time doubts emerged, he had often moved on, leaving behind an image so strongly imprinted in public memory that even skeptics struggled to erase it.
Chapter 3: Lawsuits as Shields and Swords: How Threatening Legal Action Silenced Critics and Preserved His Image.
Controlling the narrative in the press was just one piece of Trump’s strategy. When that failed, he reached for another weapon: the law. He discovered that by threatening lawsuits, he could frighten critics into silence or force them into expensive, draining legal battles. Even if these suits lacked strong legal grounds, their existence alone was often enough to make authors, publishers, and reporters think twice before sharing unflattering information. For those on the receiving end, it felt like stepping into quicksand: the more they struggled, the deeper they sank into years of costly legal wrangling.
This tactic worked because few journalists or small publishing houses have unlimited money or time. A looming lawsuit meant months or years locked in a courtroom dance, piling up lawyer fees. Trump understood that fear of financial ruin or endless legal disputes could discourage someone from releasing a critical piece of writing. Even if he knew he might not win the case in court, he recognized the psychological pressure that a lawsuit imposed. It turned the act of honest reporting into a high-risk gamble.
One telling example involved author Timothy O’Brien, who wrote about Trump’s actual wealth, suggesting it was far less than Trump boasted. Furious about having this illusion challenged, Trump sued O’Brien for defamation. The goal wasn’t necessarily to win; it was to harass and wear the writer down. Trump later admitted that victory would have been nice, but his main purpose was to cause the author distress. The suit dragged on, consuming resources, time, and energy. Although Trump eventually lost, he succeeded in delivering a chilling message: challenge me at your peril.
Such intimidation extended beyond questions of fortune. Whenever the media dared revisit his past mistakes or point out contradictions, Trump swung the legal sword. He would deny, deflect, and blame biased coverage, while simultaneously hinting at potential court battles. This atmosphere frightened many into silence or forced them to carefully tiptoe around sensitive topics. Over time, Trump’s willingness to intimidate critics reinforced his carefully groomed image. He didn’t just want to look strong and in control; he also wanted the power to punish those who tried to show the cracks in his public persona. By making journalists wary, he kept the truth in the shadows.
Chapter 4: Filling the Gaps with Fantasy: The Strange Art of Feigning Expertise and Reshaping Facts to Fit His Mood.
Presenting himself as a genius was a key part of Trump’s persona. He wanted people to believe he knew everything about finance, construction, casinos, foreign policy, and any other subject that might arise. Yet when carefully observed, it became clear that this claim of endless knowledge was often unsupported. When faced with a topic he didn’t understand, Trump rarely admitted ignorance. Instead, he improvised, inventing facts and confidently repeating them until others found it hard to doubt him. Truth became flexible, something he could twist to fill the empty spaces where real knowledge should have been.
In one memorable incident, a journalist tested Trump’s grasp of gambling rules in Atlantic City. The reporter invented fake details about dice games, and Trump pretended to know them well, rolling along as if they were established facts. Similarly, during political debates, when asked about complex military strategies or weapon systems, Trump often veered off-topic, relying on dramatic phrases and vague mentions of very important things. He knew that many viewers wouldn’t catch these evasions. By the time someone realized he had dodged the question, he had already moved on.
For Trump, facts seemed to depend on how he felt at the moment. Consider how he described his own wealth: asked under oath to provide a figure, he refused to settle on a number. He explained that his net worth changed drastically based on his feelings about the economy that day. Such a slippery approach to reality meant no fixed truth could pin him down. If something didn’t fit his narrative, he found a way to reshape or dismiss it. He turned knowledge into a fluid concept, something he could mold to serve his immediate goals.
This approach carried dangerous implications. Without fixed facts, meaningful debates became impossible. People couldn’t agree on the simplest truths if he wouldn’t acknowledge them. As time passed, he tested how far he could push this style. If pressed too hard on a mistake, he attacked the questioner’s credibility or mocked them for caring about details. He acted as if facts were mere opinions, open to debate and influenced by mood swings or strategic necessity. Through this, Trump built an image of infallibility, reinforcing the idea that he was always the smartest person in the room, even when he had no idea what he was talking about.
Chapter 5: Shady Construction and Broken Promises: How Cutting Corners and Ignoring the Law Became Standard Practice.
The golden image Trump projected wouldn’t have survived long if people saw what really went on behind the scenes. Early in his career, when building the famous Trump Tower, he needed to demolish an old department store. Instead of following strict rules and employing properly protected, fairly paid workers, he used low-wage, undocumented laborers who toiled in dangerous conditions. They lacked safety gear and faced hazardous materials like asbestos without proper precautions. By doing this, Trump sidestepped union wages and regulations that would have made the project more expensive.
These workers often toiled through nights, with large crews tearing down the building at unsafe speeds. Many never received their promised wages and later had to sue Trump for compensation. In court, he claimed ignorance, insisting he didn’t know about the deal. It took nearly two decades for these cheated laborers to see any compensation. Such tactics revealed a pattern: if there was a cheaper way to do something, even if it broke rules and endangered lives, Trump found it and exploited it.
A similar disregard for ethics appeared in his so-called educational venture, Trump University. Eager students paid hefty fees expecting expert guidance on real estate investing. Instead, they got outdated materials and staff who were actually salespeople, not seasoned professionals. It was a cunning scheme that lured people in with Trump’s name and grand promises, only to deliver shallow lessons and wasted money. Even more galling, Trump continued using the term University for years after authorities told him it was illegal to do so without proper accreditation.
Through this pattern, a troubling picture emerged. Trump’s empire thrived not just on clever marketing and showmanship but on flouting rules and relying on people he could exploit. He understood how to walk the edge between legality and crime, and when caught, he played innocent. By doing so, he preserved the glamorous façade, ensuring that scandals remained hidden behind clever legal maneuvering. For those paying close attention, however, these incidents revealed a businessman who prioritized profits and optics above fairness, safety, or honesty.
Chapter 6: Fraudulent Education Ventures: Unmasking the Hollow Promises of Trump’s University.
Trump University serves as a prime example of how he harnessed his public image to profit at the expense of everyday people. By slapping his name on a program that sounded official and wise, he convinced students that they were entering a world of privileged knowledge. Glossy brochures and advertisements promised insider secrets to real estate riches, implying that learners would gain tools directly from Trump’s own brilliant mind. Yet the reality was starkly different: no proper accreditation, no renowned professors, and no meaningful curriculum.
Instead of seasoned mentors, students met energetic salespeople trained to upsell them on more expensive courses. The supposed experts had little to do with real estate mastery. They mostly knew how to pressure participants into forking over more money for the next advanced level. Far from gaining valuable insights, students found themselves saddled with hefty bills and vague, outdated materials that offered no competitive advantage in the property market. Many were left feeling cheated, disheartened, and embarrassed.
Authorities noticed these problems, telling Trump to stop using the word University since it misled people into believing it was a real academic institution. But Trump ignored these warnings for years, continuing to rake in profits as individuals paid for lessons that barely scratched the surface of genuine real estate strategies. Ultimately, lawsuits filed by angry students and consumer watchdogs exposed the scheme. Settlements and legal challenges chipped away at the shiny façade, revealing a hollow venture built on deception and quick cash grabs.
This scandal highlighted a consistent pattern: Trump’s focus on appearances over substance. Just as he had done before, he understood that a convincing label and confident marketing could overshadow a lack of genuine value. Students believed in his well-crafted persona and discovered too late that it was a trap. While the University fiasco did not demolish his public image entirely, it gave the world a clearer view of how he operated. Trump’s empire, it seemed, was supported by theatrics, false claims, and the constant search for new people to exploit rather than by true expertise and integrity.
Chapter 7: Partnerships with the Underworld: Mafia Lawyers, Drug Dealers, and Favorable Outcomes in Court.
Trump’s willingness to skirt rules went beyond demolitions and fake universities. He also mingled with notorious figures, forging relationships that ordinary businesses would avoid at all costs. One key figure was Roy Cohn, a feared lawyer with deep connections to New York’s mafia world. With Cohn’s guidance, Trump navigated difficult construction deals that relied on union cooperation. Using the influence of mob-linked unions, he secured the swift delivery of concrete during strikes, ensuring Trump Tower rose smoothly while others faced costly delays.
These shady connections went beyond building materials. Trump brought aboard individuals with criminal histories to ensure his projects ran as desired. One was Joseph Wexelbaum, a convicted drug trafficker who serviced Trump’s casinos by bringing in wealthy gamblers, some likely interested in illicit substances. When Wexelbaum faced another serious drug charge, the case strangely ended up in New Jersey, where it landed before a judge related to Trump. Though she recused herself, Trump wrote a letter to the new judge, seemingly hoping to influence the outcome. Wexelbaum received a remarkably light sentence compared to others involved in the same case.
When Wexelbaum finished his brief prison term, he moved right back into Trump Tower. Their business relationship continued, raising eyebrows among those who wondered why Trump remained close to such figures. Perhaps the answer lay in what these people provided him: smooth operations, lucrative deals, and help bypassing obstacles that would have slowed down a legitimate businessman. By cooperating with unsavory characters, Trump ensured his projects thrived when honest competitors struggled.
These hidden deals and favors, kept mostly out of the headlines, contrasted sharply with the polished image Trump showed the public. He claimed to be a savvy dealmaker who outsmarted the system, but rarely admitted he relied on people willing to bend or break the law. While media stories often focused on his glamorous properties, few knew the darker relationships lurking behind the scenes. These ties underscored how success, for Trump, sometimes meant joining hands with those who were all too familiar with the shadows of corruption.
Chapter 8: The Illusion of Generosity: Unfulfilled Charitable Promises, Overnight Donations, and Tax Dodges.
A key part of Trump’s public persona was that of a generous benefactor. He frequently boasted about donating large sums to noble causes. Yet, when investigators tried to trace these promises, they found little real evidence of his claimed goodwill. For instance, after publishing The Art of the Deal, he pledged that a portion of the hefty royalties would support veterans, the homeless, and those suffering deadly illnesses. Millions of dollars were supposedly earmarked. But the grand announcement never seemed to translate into verifiable donations benefiting those groups.
Similarly, during his 2016 campaign, Trump boasted about raising $6 million for veterans. Yet reporters found no record of these funds reaching charities. Only when the press prepared to expose this discrepancy did Trump quickly wire money to veteran organizations overnight, as if scrambling to cover tracks. This pattern suggested that many publicized charitable gestures were public relations stunts rather than heartfelt attempts to help others. Instead of steady, reliable giving, last-minute transfers acted more like damage control than genuine philanthropy.
Trump’s reluctance to give extended into his tax filings. Although he presented himself as a billionaire, he repeatedly exploited tax loopholes that allowed him to avoid paying federal income tax. By declaring massive losses on properties, even as he lived lavishly, he legally sidestepped taxes for years. In one instance, he claimed a staggering loss of nearly a billion dollars, letting him skip federal taxes for almost two decades. Despite the grand buildings, luxury jets, and constant bragging about success, the tax records painted a picture of someone skilled at avoiding financial obligations to society.
This gulf between promise and action showed another facet of Trump’s character: words came easily, but concrete deeds were scarce. Public praise and admiration often followed his claims of generosity, helping maintain the myth of a wealthy man who cared deeply for others. But as evidence emerged, it revealed a different truth: Trump’s carefully constructed image of generosity was hollow. Instead of creating lasting change, he used these stories to burnish his reputation, while quietly finding ways to keep his fortune intact and out of the taxman’s reach. Ultimately, his philanthropy seemed more like another show, staged for cameras rather than the common good.
Chapter 9: Vengeance and Grudges: How Settling Scores with Foes and Family Fueled Trump’s Actions.
Behind the carefully managed persona, Trump divided the world into two camps: loyal supporters and despised enemies. If you crossed him, even over a minor matter, you risked becoming a target of his long memory and brutal revenge. In his books, he openly praised the idea of getting even, viewing it not as a low impulse but as a strategy. The stories he shared proudly included firing employees who refused to do his bidding, then celebrating when their lives took downward turns. Such actions reflected a mindset that valued crushing perceived threats over understanding or mercy.
This thirst for vengeance extended beyond strangers to his own family. When disputes arose over inheritance, Trump was not content with letting the courts decide. Instead, he removed medical coverage from a relative’s ill child, using the family’s health as a bargaining chip in a bitter financial argument. This cruel measure displayed just how far he would go to settle scores. Children, illness, and family loyalty meant little if he felt wronged. The humiliation and suffering of others were sometimes treated as just another tool in his arsenal.
Trump seemed to enjoy leaving a trail of wounded pride behind him. If a business partner refused a favor, they might find themselves blacklisted and ridiculed. If a journalist pressed him on uncomfortable facts, they might face threats and insults. Those who dared to criticize his empire risked legal attacks or public belittlement. He carefully cultivated the image of a man who never lets an insult slide, never forgets a slight, and always strikes back harder than he was hit. This pattern made many wary of challenging him, for fear of retribution.
This final glimpse behind the curtain reveals a leader whose driving force often appears to be retaliation. It stands in stark contrast to the heroic image he projected on television and in campaigns. The records of legal battles and personal feuds show a man guided by vendettas, determined to dominate all who stand in his way. While the public was invited to admire the shiny towers, the lavish hotels, and his supposed brilliance, these hidden stories of vengeance, cruelty, and manipulation tell a different story—one of a man who would do anything to maintain power, control, and the upper hand.
All about the Book
Explore David Cay Johnston’s insightful investigation into Donald Trump’s rise to power. This compelling narrative reveals the controversies, triumphs, and secrets behind Trump’s fortune, making it essential reading for anyone interested in politics and wealth.
David Cay Johnston is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist renowned for his in-depth analysis of economics, politics, and wealth inequality in America, captivating readers with his rigorous research and biting commentary.
Journalists, Political Analysts, Economists, Business Professionals, Historians
Reading Political Biographies, Analyzing Economic Trends, Discussing Current Events, Participating in Political Debates, Following Celebrity News
Wealth Inequality, Corruption in Politics, Media Influence, Corporate Interests in Governance
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
Robert Reich, Bill Moyers, Heather Cox Richardson
Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism, George Polk Award, I.F. Stone Medal for Journalistic Independence
1. How did Trump’s upbringing shape his business mindset? #2. What strategies did Trump use to build his brand? #3. How did Trump’s personality influence his negotiations? #4. In what ways did media coverage affect Trump’s image? #5. What role did family dynamics play in Trump’s success? #6. How did real estate development impact Trump’s wealth? #7. What controversies surrounded Trump’s business dealings? #8. How did Trump’s approach to risk differ from others? #9. What influence did Trump’s father’s career have on him? #10. How did Trump navigate bankruptcy and recover financially? #11. What lessons can be learned from Trump’s failures? #12. How did Trump’s lifestyle reflect his business philosophy? #13. What political connections did Trump cultivate for success? #14. How did Trump’s use of marketing set him apart? #15. What impact did Trump’s television career have on his brand? #16. How have Trump’s actions challenged traditional business ethics? #17. How did Trump leverage celebrity status for business deals? #18. What was the significance of Trump’s real estate empire? #19. How did Trump’s persona change during his presidency? #20. What does Trump’s story reveal about American entrepreneurship?
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