interviews, and that was exciting. TheToday show did a Father’s Day program, and Matt Lauer interviewed Don Jr. and myself, which was great fun. Both Matt Lauer and Katie Couric have a knack for making anything entertaining, and I enjoy them tremendously.48 Hours interviewed my younger son, Eric, and myself, and aside from some slumping on his part, Eric did a great job. The media really isn’t anything new to my kids, although they’ve been protected from it to a certain extent.
11:00 A.M. I receive an invitation to attend the show of Oscar de la Renta’s new collection, and I call Melania. We decide to attend. I’ve never gotten tired of fashion or fashion shows. To me, it’s an unbeatable combination—beautiful women and beautiful clothes, especially Oscar’s.
My agency, Trump Model Management, has managed to put itself on the fashion map in a relatively short time. I started it about five years ago. We’ve got some top models, and I enjoy watching this business become more and more successful. I call John Tutolo for an update, and we discuss a few things that we think could be improved.
I call Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, to go over a few things with her. An interviewer recently asked me what motivated me to buy the rights to the Miss Universe pageant. My answer was that I love beautiful women and I’m also a businessman, so it seemed like a good idea, which it has turned out to be. Sometimes things are that simple. I realized early on that I was an aesthete by nature, being attracted to beauty in both people and buildings. My work has shown that some early self-knowledge was right on target.
I take a call from Ricardo Bellino, a businessman in Brazil. We are working on the Villa Trump together in Brazil, and he’s also asking me some questions for his upcoming book on the power of ideas. I mention that ideas are door openers, the first step. Without a first step, there won’t be any other steps to take you where you want to go. It’s a visual process. Perhaps that’s why I’m a visionary, but a well-grounded one. When it comes to great ideas, the first questions I ask myself are:Yeah, but is it possible? Will this be feasible? If I can see something being accomplished, I know it is a possibility. I guess that’s why I’m a builder. I start from the ground and go up from there.
I write a congratulatory note to Kitty Carlisle Hart for her ninety-third birthday. In addition to being multitalented, she’s been a true philanthropist, and New York is lucky to have her. I always liked to watch her on television. Those of you who remember the television showTo Tell the Truth will know what I’m talking about.
I write another note to a high school that has asked me for advice, and also asked who my favorite U.S. president might be. I decide to start with a quote by Abraham Lincoln, who would have to be my first choice: I will study and prepare, and perhaps my chance will come. Always humble, always hardworking, always studying, Lincoln is a great example for high school kids.
11:30 A.M. The Entertainment Channel is ready for an interview regardingThe Apprentice. It goes quickly and well, and we’re done in five minutes.
12:00 P.M. I call an employee at a large property who has not been as attentive as his position demands. I tell him that his bad performance is not his fault, but mine: I simply hired the wrong person by overestimating his capabilities. I add that if he’d like to change my mind about my initial mistake, it’s up to him. He promises to take care of things right away, and I think he means it.
I ask Andy Weiss to come in. His office is about 110 feet down the hall, but he can hear me. The reason we don’t have an intercom system is because we don’t need one. This often startles visitors, but, as I see it, why have more gadgets than necessary? Andy’s been with me a long time, and we get right to the point. The meeting’s over in less than five minutes.
I call Beverly Sills, one of the most wonderful opera singers of all time, and an equally wonderful person. I may not enjoy sitting through an opera, but I have always respected opera singers and enjoy the highlights of opera. Beverly is remarkable in every way, and I always enjoy talking to her.
12:30 P.M. I decide to have a slice of pizza for lunch, and I read a few of the letters that have come in. Here’s one from a young man in the Bay Area of San Francisco who writes, This letter is in appreciation for inspiring us in hard times. Please continue writing your books and influencing people to live their dreams. He’ll be happy to know that’s exactly what I’m doing, even as I eat my pizza and read his letter. Here’s another one from a family in Germany, who thinks I should run for president and invites me to stay at their home. A business proposal comes from a group in Wales who would like me to work on a housing development with them.
12:45 P.M. I call Brian Baudreau, my executive of security, and tell him I want to go over to Trump Place, my development along the Hudson River. We go over to the West Side and check out what’s going on with construction. We meet with Paul Davis, the CEO of the Hudson Waterfront Associates, and take a walk around. I get daily reports, but there’s nothing like seeing things for yourself. Paul has a big project on his hands, and he’s doing a terrific job.
I’ve encountered a lot of opposition from staunch West Siders about this development, but gradually they are beginning to see that these buildings will be an enhancement to their neighborhood. The West Side is thriving like never before, and even as an East Sider, I’ve got to admit that the West Side is a great place to be.
2:00 P.M. Back in the office, I start returning the twenty-two calls that came in. That’s another reason I don’t like to be out of the office too much—the backlog of calls can get out of hand. The first call I return is to United Cerebral Palsy, as I’m on the advisory board. One of the biggest perks of being financially successful is being able to be generous. I like giving money to good causes like United Way and the Police Athletic League. It really is a great feeling every time I can be of help, and, for the most part, that’s a private part of my life. Some of my charities are public knowledge, and some of them aren’t.
2:30 P.M. Robin Leach and his team are here for an interview. Robin is well known for a reason. We have a great time, and it’s a job well and quickly done.
3:15 P.M. I have a meeting with Carolyn Kepcher, executive vice president and director of Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff. We are building some magnificent villas on the grounds, and there are a lot of details to attend to. Fortunately, both of us are perfectionists, and our meetings never have to be long.
3:30 P.M. I take a call from David Schner, president of
Craig Semandl, the director of Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles, calls in. He gives me an update on what’s happening, and we go over some details. I will visit California later this month to see the progress for myself. It helps to have people you can trust when you’re three thousand miles away.
This is something that still amazes me: Here’s another person requesting my autograph on the March 1990 issue of
I make a call to Tiffany, my youngest daughter, who is giving me an update on her latest activities. She has enough going on for five people. She must take after me. She is excited about her upcoming birthday and her plans to have a party aboard theQueen Mary in Long Beach, California.
I write a note to the Veterans of Vietnam of Ward 4CD of Valley Forge General Hospital. I am cochairman and builder of the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and still continue to do what I can for these brave people.
4:00 P.M. I take a call from Susan James, director of sales for Trump International Hotel and Tower on Central Park West. She has a great job—this is one of the most successful condominium towers ever built and the top-rated luxury hotel in New York City, all in one building. This is also where Jean-Georges Restaurant is located. All in all, it’s a gem, and I’m proud of it. It’s near Lincoln Center on Columbus Circle, and those of you who know architecture will find it interesting that Philip Johnson designed both this building and the State Theatre at Lincoln Center, home of the New York City Ballet. I’m sort of young to be considered historical, but some things point in that direction, and this building is one of those things.
I go over the invitations and requests of the day with Norma. I decide on an event given by Anna Wintour ofVogue magazine and leave the other decisions until later, when I can give them more time and consideration.
Charlie Reiss comes in and we go over current project developments in Chicago, Toronto, and London. Bernie Diamond and Jason Greenblatt, my terrific in-house attorneys, are in on the meeting as well. Contrary to what people may think, I listen to and take advice from a lot of people before I make a final decision on anything. I
