Trump: The Art of the Deal

“Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That’s how I get my kicks.”

The opening lines of The Art of the Deal frame the world of business in a new way. Rather than cold and emotionless, Donald Trump compares dealmaking to an artistic endeavor. His framing of the process of dealmaking invites the audience to reexamine their prior beliefs about the bureaucratic world of business, imagining it as something more creative. This quote directly relates to Deals as an Art Form, reinforcing the idea that Trump views business transactions as both a personal expression and a strategic performance. By equating his work to an artistic process, he positions himself as an innovator rather than just a businessman.

“One thing led to another, and now I’m talking about building a large luxury hotel, across the street from the Kremlin, in partnership with the Soviet government. They have asked me to go to Moscow in July.”

Donald Trump emphasizes his capacity to see deals everywhere by breaking down the barriers of the Cold War. The Soviet Union in the late 1980s was considered decidedly anti-capitalist, but even the anti-capitalist Soviets could not help but be tempted by Donald Trump’s ability to make a deal, the book suggests. The book presents Donald Trump as such a skilled dealmaker that he can tempt even the most anti-capitalist politicians toward capitalism. This aligns with the theme of No Publicity Is Bad Publicity, as Trump’s willingness to engage with a high-profile, politically charged opportunity demonstrates his belief in leveraging international attention for business success.