Donald J. Trump
Donald J. Trump is an American businessman, television personality, and political figure who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and was elected as the 47th President in 2024. Born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, Trump built a real estate empire and media presence that made him one of America's most recognizable figures long before entering politics. As an author, he has published numerous books on business, success, and politics that have reached millions of readers worldwide.
The son of real estate developer Fred Trump, Donald Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1968. He joined his father's company, Elizabeth Trump & Son, which he later renamed The Trump Organization. Through ambitious real estate developments, including Trump Tower in Manhattan, casinos in Atlantic City, and properties worldwide, Trump became known for his larger-than-life personality and his practice of prominently featuring his name on buildings, products, and ventures.
Trump's literary career began with his 1987 bestseller Trump: The Art of the Deal, co-written with Tony Schwartz, which spent 48 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and sold over a million copies. The book established Trump's public persona as a dealmaker and offered insights into his business philosophy and negotiation tactics. It remains one of the most successful business books of its era and introduced Trump's approach of thinking big, maximizing options, and using leverage to achieve goals.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Trump continued publishing books that combined business advice with personal anecdotes. Trump: Surviving at the Top (1990) addressed his business challenges, while Trump: The Art of the Comeback (1997) chronicled his return from financial difficulties in the early 1990s. How to Get Rich (2004) and Think Like a Billionaire (2004) capitalized on his renewed fame from NBC's reality show The Apprentice, where his catchphrase "You're fired!" became part of American popular culture. Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life (2007), co-written with Bill Zanker, continued his formula of mixing motivational advice with business strategy.
As Trump moved toward politics, his books took on a more political tone. The America We Deserve (2000) outlined his political views during his brief Reform Party presidential campaign. Time to Get Tough: Making America #1 Again (2011) criticized the Obama administration and laid groundwork for his political philosophy. Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again (2015), released during his first presidential campaign, presented his vision for the country and introduced his signature slogan to a wider audience. These works helped establish his political brand and communicate his message directly to supporters.
Trump has also collaborated with Robert Kiyosaki on Why We Want You to Be Rich (2006) and Midas Touch (2011), books focused on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. His most recent works include Our Journey Together (2021), a photo book from his presidency, and Letters to Trump (2023), a collection of correspondence he received from world leaders, celebrities, and others throughout his career. Save America (2024) presents his political philosophy and vision for America's future.
While Trump has worked with ghostwriters and co-authors on many of his books—a common practice he has acknowledged in various acknowledgments sections—his works have consistently reflected his distinctive voice and worldview. Themes throughout his bibliography include the importance of thinking big, the value of persistence, the art of negotiation, brand building, and his vision of American greatness. Whether offering business advice or political commentary, Trump's books have sold millions of copies and influenced public discourse on business, media, and politics for nearly four decades.
