Trump: The Art of the Deal

Donald Trump is the central figure and the narrator of The Art of the Deal. The book is an extension of Donald Trump’s public persona, effectively serving as a manifesto for his beliefs and ideas. The Art of the Deal is, in effect, the gospel according to Trump. As a result, the book strives to bolster the public persona of Donald Trump. The achievements of Donald Trump speak for themselves, his book suggests. His hotels and casinos are not only grand displays of wealth and luxury, but they are known throughout the world for their close association with Trump himself. These building developments, like the book, employ the Trump name to project an image of business success into the world. When the audience questions whether Trump should be accepted as a resource for business advice, the book and the buildings serve as evidence for his accomplishments. Dealmaking is a fundamental part of the Trump public persona, so the book emphasizes his talents for securing deals and making money. The Trump brand is always at the heart of everything he does, including his role as the central figure in the book.

For a business-orientated book, Donald Trump makes no concerted attempt to frame The Art of the Deal as an instruction manual.