We’ve done some deals together and he’s a great guy—and a very smart one.
9:30 A.M. Kevin Harris, a supervising producer for Mark Burnett, is ready to take me on a tour of the sets built in Trump Tower for
The construction site also includes living quarters for the sixteen contestants, which is an incredibly stylish ten-thousand-square-foot loft, probably the only such living space in midtown. I am pleasantly surprised at the quality of the work, and my trust in Mark Burnett is again confirmed.
10:00 A.M. Back in my office, I begin returning calls. People are surprised at how many hours I put in at my office each week, since I seem to have a busy social life as well. I also like to plan my business trips for the weekends whenever possible, to avoid missing office time. I love what I do, so it doesn’t seem like I’m missing out on any fun. Last year I took a transatlantic weekend business trip that included breakfast in London with Mohamed Al Fayed and dinner in Slovenia with Melania’s parents before flying back to New York. We were back in time for me to be in the office by 9:00 A.M. Monday.
I talk to Jay Goldberg, a brilliant lawyer and an old friend. He and his wife, Rema, will join me in my box at the U.S. Open.
This is a good one: The pushiest broker in New York calls in for a chat about the availability of some of my prime apartments, as if I couldn’t guess why she was calling me in the first place. She tries to tell me what my apartments are worth, and I try to control my temper, but she’s full of bullshit. Finally, I ask her if she realizes who she’s talking to and, surprisingly, she immediately becomes reasonable. Almost every day, I have to remind someone that maybe I know what I’m doing, and while that may sound like I’m tooting my own horn, believe me, it saves a lot of yelling time.
10:30 A.M. The German TV team is ready for an interview in the conference room. They’d done a wonderful job in covering Mar-a-Lago a few months ago, which I appreciate, and so we’re doing a New York interview. They are professional and enthusiastic, and all goes well. You see, I’ve done so many interviews that at times they can be boring for me, so if the people are interesting, it helps a lot. Just this year, both of my sons did their first TV interviews, and that was exciting.
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 show
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 regarding
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
