Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal has long been marketed as a must-read for aspiring businesspeople, offering insights into Trump’s supposed genius in negotiation and deal-making. Published in 1987 and co-written with journalist Tony Schwartz, the book helped shape Trump’s public image as a master businessman. However, upon closer examination, The Art of the Deal is more of a self-aggrandising PR piece than a useful guide to business success. It is filled with exaggerations, contradictions, and outdated strategies that often fail to hold up in the real world.
1. More Self-Promotion Than Substance
Rather than providing practical, step-by-step advice, much of The Art of the Deal reads like an extended advertisement for Trump himself. The book is littered with anecdotes about his supposed triumphs, but it rarely delves into the details of his failures or the complexities of deal-making. A truly valuable business book should offer lessons from both successes and mistakes, but Trump largely avoids discussing his missteps, painting an unrealistic picture of his career.
2. Questionable Accuracy and Exaggeration
Since the book’s publication, many of Trump’s claims have been called into question. Tony Schwartz, the book’s ghostwriter, has admitted that Trump greatly exaggerated his achievements and that much of the book is more fiction than fact. Many of the deals Trump brags about have either been debunked or have since unraveled. For example, Trump boasts about his casino empire, yet multiple Trump casinos went bankrupt in the years following the book’s release.
3. Outdated and Aggressive Business Tactics
Trump’s approach to deal-making, as described in the book, is rooted in dominance, aggression, and bluffing—strategies that may have worked in the 1980s but are far less effective in today’s business world. Modern negotiation emphasises emotional intelligence, collaboration, and long-term relationship building, while Trump’s tactics focus on winning at all costs. This short-term, transactional mindset may work in some cases but often leads to burned bridges and legal battles, as evidenced by Trump’s history of lawsuits and failed partnerships.
4. Lack of Practical Advice
While The Art of the Deal contains some broad business principles—such as “Think Big” and “Use Leverage”—it lacks the depth and practicality of truly great business books. The book rarely offers concrete, actionable advice, instead relying on vague generalisations and self-praise. Readers looking for real negotiation strategies would be better off reading books like Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss or Getting to Yes by William Ury.
5. Ignores the Role of Privilege and Luck
One of the biggest flaws in The Art of the Deal is that Trump presents himself as a self-made success while downplaying the role of his privileged background. He inherited a fortune from his father, Fred Trump, and had access to resources and connections that most entrepreneurs could only dream of. The book fails to acknowledge how much this head start contributed to his business ventures, making it a misleading guide for those starting from scratch.
6. The Book Hasn’t Aged Well
Since The Art of the Deal was published, many of the businesses Trump bragged about have failed. Trump Airlines, Trump Vodka, Trump University, and multiple casinos all collapsed, casting doubt on his supposed business acumen. The book’s legacy has also been tarnished by Trump’s presidency, where his leadership style—often resembling the brash tactics described in the book—leads to chaos, scandals, and deep divisions.
Final Verdict: Not Worth the Hype
While The Art of the Deal may be an entertaining look at Trump’s inflated self-image, it is not a serious business book. It lacks practical advice, relies on exaggeration, and promotes outdated negotiation tactics. If you’re looking for a real guide to successful deal-making, look elsewhere—this book is more of a marketing gimmick than a useful business manual.
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