Trump: The Art of the Deal Book Summary

Trump: The Art of the Deal Book Summary Preview

Why Read This Book

The Art of the Deal remains one of the most influential business books of the 20th century. It offers:

• A firsthand look into the mind of one of the most polarizing entrepreneurs in history.

• Timeless lessons on negotiation, resilience, and branding.

• Real-world examples of deals that built modern Manhattan.

• A blueprint for anyone who wants to think bigger, negotiate smarter, and build their legacy.

Whether you admire or critique him, Trump’s story is a rare look at how boldness, persistence, and showmanship can redefine success.

Donald J. Trump’s The Art of the Deal is both a memoir and a masterclass in ambition, negotiation, and the psychology of success.
Before the fame of The Apprentice or the presidency, Trump was a relentless real estate visionary who turned declining properties into landmarks and skepticism into billion-dollar success. The book chronicles his rise from a young developer in Queens to one of the most recognizable names in business — revealing not just what he did, but how he thinks.

Across his stories, Trump’s lessons are simple yet profound: think big, negotiate smart, use leverage, embrace publicity, and never stop pushing until you win.

Think Big and Refuse to Play Small

“If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.” — Donald Trump

Trump’s philosophy begins with bold thinking. He believes most people fail not because they lack talent, but because they aim too low. Growing up in Queens, he watched his father, Fred Trump, build affordable housing for middle-income families. Fred was disciplined and frugal — traits that Donald absorbed — but Donald also wanted glamour, scale, and fame. He dreamed not of modest apartment buildings, but of skyscrapers with his name on them.

At just 27 years old, Trump took on his first Manhattan project, the Commodore Hotel. The hotel was nearly bankrupt, but Trump saw opportunity where others saw decay. By securing financing, a tax break from the city, and a partnership with Hyatt, he transformed it into the Grand Hyatt New York, a dazzling success that revived the neighborhood around Grand Central Station.
This project proved his point: when you dream big and back it with action, even the impossible can become profitable.

Negotiate with Nerve and Leverage

“The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it.” — Donald Trump

Trump’s view of negotiation is both psychological and strategic.
He believes the best deals come from leverage, not luck — having something the other party wants, and projecting confidence whether you have it or not.

He illustrates this with the Trump Tower deal. The site on Fifth Avenue was owned by multiple parties: one company owned the land, Tiffany & Co. owned the air rights, and the city controlled the zoning. Most developers would have given up. Trump, however, found creative leverage points:

• He convinced Tiffany that selling him the air rights would increase their prestige by having a luxury tower next door.

• He persuaded the landowners to become equity partners instead of landlords, offering them higher returns...

  Join over 100,000 readers!

  

  Sign up for 3 free book summaries and upgrade for unlimited access.

  Get Started for Free

  Save time with unlimited access to text, audio, and video summaries of the world's best-selling books.
  Upgrade Now