Themes

• Thinking big and setting ambitious goals

• The art of negotiation and deal-making

• Leveraging publicity and media attention

• Building a personal brand and reputation

• Taking calculated risks in business

• Overcoming obstacles and setbacks

• The importance of persistence and confidence

Setting

Trump: The Art of the Deal is set primarily in the 1980s, an era of economic prosperity and excess in the United States. The book captures the zeitgeist of Reagan-era America, with its focus on wealth accumulation, deal-making, and larger-than-life personalities. Trump's narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a booming New York City real estate market, where ambitious developers like him sought to leave their mark on the iconic Manhattan skyline.

While the book's setting spans several decades of Trump's life and career, it centers largely on New York City, particularly Manhattan. Trump provides vivid descriptions of his projects and dealings in the city, from his early work in Brooklyn to his more high-profile Manhattan developments like Trump Tower and the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The book also touches on other locations where Trump conducted business, including Atlantic City and Palm Beach, offering readers a glimpse into the world of luxury real estate and casino operations.

Throughout The Art of the Deal, Trump paints a picture of a fast-paced, competitive business environment where fortunes can be made or lost on a single transaction. Through describing his interactions with politicians, celebrities, and fellow business tycoons, Trump not only provides context for his rise to prominence but also offers insight into the networking and deal-making culture that defined American business in the latter part of the 20th century.

Key Figures

• Donald Trump: The primary subject and narrator. Trump details his business philosophy and recounts major deals from his early career in real estate development. He presents himself as a savvy negotiator and dealmaker, sharing insights into his strategies for success. Trump discusses his upbringing, his entry into the Manhattan real estate market, and projects like Trump Tower and the renovation of the Wollman Rink.

• Fred Trump: Donald's father, who built a real estate empire in Brooklyn and Queens. Fred is portrayed as a mentor figure who taught Donald the fundamentals of the construction and real estate business. The book describes how Fred provided guidance and financial backing for some of Donald's early deals.

• Tony Schwartz: Though not mentioned by name in the book, Schwartz was the ghostwriter who worked closely with Trump to craft the narrative. He spent many months shadowing Trump and shaping his stories and business advice into a coherent manuscript.

• Mayor Ed Koch: The mayor of New York City during much of the time period covered in the book. Trump describes clashing with Koch over various development deals and tax abatements.

• Roy Cohn: Trump's lawyer and mentor, known for his aggressive tactics. The book portrays Cohn as a trusted advisor who helped Trump navigate legal and political challenges in New York.

Quick facts

• Trump: The Art of the Deal was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz, who later expressed regret for his involvement, suggesting the book be “recategorized as fiction” based on later revelations about Trump's finances.

• The book reached #1 on The New York Times bestseller list in hardcover and remained there for 13 weeks.

• Trump has called The Art of the Deal his second-favorite book after the Bible.

• The book contains an 11-step formula for business success inspired by Norman Vincent Peale.

• Schwartz was given half of the book's royalties, which totaled around $1.6 million by 2016.

• To research the book, Schwartz listened in on Trump's phone calls for several months.

• The book's first print run was 150,000 copies.

• The Art of the Deal coined the phrase “truthful hyperbole” to describe Trump's promotional style.

• Plans for a TV movie based on the book were announced in 1988 but later abandoned.

• The Art of the Deal partly inspired the creation of the reality TV show The Apprentice.

About the Author

Donald J. Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and is currently serving as the 47th president since 2025. Born in New York City in 1946, Trump took over his family's real estate business in the 1970s, renaming it The Trump Organization. He gained national prominence as a reality television star on The Apprentice from 2004 to 2015 before entering politics.

As a political outsider, Trump won the 2016 presidential election against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. His first term was marked by controversial policies on immigration, foreign relations, and environmental regulations. He appointed three Supreme Court justices and signed major legislation like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Trump's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was widely criticized. He lost his 2020 reelection bid to Joe Biden but refused to concede, falsely claiming widespread voter fraud. This culminated in his supporters attacking the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, leading to his second impeachment.

After leaving office, Trump faced numerous legal challenges, including federal indictments related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents. He was also found liable in civil cases for sexual abuse and financial fraud. Despite this, Trump won the 2024 presidential election against incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, becoming only the second president after Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms.