Getting to Know Trump

Written by Peter Li-Chang Kuo

While visiting The Trump Building, I saw a large rat in front of the building, along with a group of protesters. However, none of this deterred 78-year-old Donald Trump from running for president. I suggested to them the idea of improving the "Technical Education System" (TES), aligning with President Reagan’s belief that "America can only be great again if its manufacturing industry thrives."

Fig 1: Visiting The Trump Building

After winning the election, Trump surprisingly invited me via email to serve as an advisor. In response, I quickly sought out five of his published books, hoping to align with his MAGA vision and find opportunities for Taiwan’s future.

Fig 2: Book "Trump Never Gives Up"

In just two months since taking office, U.S. President Trump has already done many things—including rescuing astronauts stranded in outer space to return the earth. He has also declared April 2nd as a significant day—he will impose reciprocal tariffs on the "Dirty 15" countries to help alleviate the U.S. debt of $36 trillion. Given these shifting dynamics, understanding Trump has become increasingly important.

Before analyzing Trump, I want to share the story of "The World Needs Taiwan":

In 1966, an American came to me with a piece of paper, and I made a sample for him—without asking for any mold fees or development costs. This helped him successfully start his business, which later went public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the name Avnet Inc.. In 1979, while dining at the Twin Towers, that same American said to me, "If it weren’t for you back then, the Apollo mission wouldn’t have succeeded." This not only contributed to the advancement of technology but also promoted world peace.

The 2025 Film “The Apprentice”

The 2025 movie The Apprentice depicts Donald Trump, born in 1946, as he rises from Queens to Manhattan in the 1970s and 1980s, alongside his lawyer Roy Cohn. The film tells the story of how he built Trump Tower, guided by Cohn’s three winning rules:

1. Attack, attack, and attack again.

2. Never admit the truth.

3. Always be the ultimate winner.

These three rules give us a moment to reflect: On the path to success, should we use any means necessary, or should we uphold moral boundaries to achieve true, lasting success and inner peace?

Fig 3: Movie Poster of "The Apprentice"

America’s Struggles and the Rise of Reagan

"In World Made By Hand," author James Kunstler describes the challenges America faces in a post-oil era and summarizes the nationwide mindset of the 1970s:

"Frustration, Watergate, two oil crises, shocking industrial decline, the Iran hostage crisis that humiliated President Carter, persistent inflation, high unemployment, and the decay of major cities—people’s memories of the good old days were fading away."

In response to heal from these accumulated wounds, Americans elected Ronald Reagan—a former actor—as president in 1980. This led to major reforms in the public sector, reinforcing “small government” ideals and shifting toward new standards of life and morality. People invested in noble ideals, hoping to shape a better world.

Trump’s Rise: A Testament to His Strength

From my personal experience of the difficulties in the United States in the 1970s, compared with the America described by Kunstler, the fact that young Donald Trump was able to gain a foothold in Manhattan, New York, shows that he was definitely not an ordinary person.

In the film “The Apprentice” (Chinese translation--Rules of the Madman), young Trump is depicted collecting rent for his father, encountering a variety of tenants—an experience that reflects his pragmatism and strong competitive spirit. Although he graduated from the prestigious Wharton School of Business, he did not pursue a conventional white-collar career in finance or consulting. Instead, he directly joined his family's business, starting from the ground up to familiarize himself with the real estate industry. This underscores his emphasis on money, power, and hands-on experience, demonstrating his willingness to personally handle details, even dealing with difficult tenants, in his pursuit of success.

A Tale of Two Brothers: Trump vs. Fred Jr.

In contrast, Donald Trump’s older brother, Fred Trump Jr. (1938–1981), chose to become a pilot—a starkly different path. Fred Jr. valued personal interests and freedom over wealth and power, which ultimately made him incompatible with the family business. Unfortunately, he later struggled with alcoholism and passed away. This deeply impacted Trump, reinforcing his belief that "weakness leads to failure."

Personality Traits of Trump as Depicted in the Film

1. Pragmatic – He does not shy away from entry-level work just because he is a graduate of a prestigious school. Instead, he is willing to learn through hands-on experience.

2. Highly Competitive – Influenced by his father from a young age, he developed a strong sense of competition, viewing the world as a zero-sum game.

3. Desire for Power and Control – By personally collecting rent, he learned how to negotiate, exert pressure, and manage financial flows, shaping his later approach in both business and politics.

4. Adaptive – Even in difficult situations, he quickly learns and finds ways to turn circumstances to his advantage.

5. Relentless – He never backs down easily, always seeking ways to gain the upper hand and refusing to admit failure.

These traits later defined his dominant style in real estate, media, and politics, helping him attract a strong base of supporters. However, his intense competitiveness and need for control also made him highly controversial in many situations.

Trump’s Strong Stance Against Alcohol

In the film, Trump never drinks alcohol, opting only for ice water or decaffeinated beverages. His aversion to drinking stems from his older brother, Fred Trump Jr., who struggled with alcoholism, which ultimately led to his deteriorating health and death in 1981 due to alcohol-related issues.

This left a lasting impression on Trump, making him strongly opposed to alcohol. He has repeatedly stated, "If you don’t drink, that’s an advantage, because you’ll never have an alcohol problem."

His lifelong abstinence from alcohol has likely contributed to his high energy levels, which could be one of the key factors in his ability to remain vigorous even at an advanced age.

Reflections on Five of Trump’s Books

These five books cover Trump’s business philosophy, mindset, and approach to challenges, providing deeper insight into his decision-making logic, negotiation style, and personal values. Below is a key analysis of each book:

1. “Trump University – Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know About Success, (Sales & Marketing 101)” (2007)

This book summarizes Trump’s keys to success, offering practical business advice on leadership, negotiation, and branding. He emphasizes that “success is a learnable skill”—with the right methods, anyone can become a leader. Key Takeaways:

1) Helps understand Trump’s core business principles, especially his brand-first mentality.

2) Familiarizing with his decision-making style makes it easier to predict his behavior in business and politics.

3) If working as an advisor, this book provides insight into his core values, making communication with him more effective.

2. “Think Big and Kick Ass: In Business and Life” (2008)

This book emphasizes risk-taking, resourcefulness, and fast decision-making, while also presenting Trump’s unique perspective on learning. His “Knowledge Formula” (p.68) states that learning is not just about acquiring information but gaining experience from others’ mistakes and turning them into advantages—similar to the saying, “Learn from others’ failures.” Key Takeaways:

1) Shows that Trump values practical experience over academic theories, helping us understand his learning approach.

2) His “Knowledge Formula” helps predict how he views mistakes and how he benefits from competitors’ failures.

3) If proposing new strategies to him, it’s best to prepare real-world case studies rather than theoretical or academic discussions, as he is less interested in abstract ideas.

3. “Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges into Success” (2010)

This book documents how Trump overcame financial crises in the 1990s and rebounded from adversity. He stresses the importance of “never giving up”—even when backed into a corner, he finds ways to turn defeat into victory. Key Takeaways:

1) This book is the best guide to Trump’s crisis management philosophy, crucial for understanding how he handles adversity.

2) Explains why he insists on never admitting failure, aligning with the strategies taught by Roy Cohn in “The Apprentice” (2025).

3) If advising him during controversies or crises, this book provides insights into his defensive and counterattack tactics, allowing for better-aligned strategies.

4. “Trump: The America We Deserve” (2020)

This book analyzes Trump’s impact on business, media, and politics, and how he disrupted traditional political logic to win the 2016 presidential election. Key Takeaways:

1) Shows how Trump transformed his business model into a political strategy, essential for understanding his thought process.

2) Explains how he leverages media, social networks, and public sentiment, making it easier to advise him effectively.

3) Examines Trump’s strongman leadership image, helping predict his approach to governance in a potential future term.

5. “Trump: The Art of the Deal” (1987)

Trump’s first book, a mix of autobiography and business guide, shares his business experiences, negotiation strategies, and views on success. Key Takeaways:

1) Negotiation Tactics – Trump stresses “thinking big” and making the other party feel they got a good deal, while using media hype to amplify his influence.

2) Business Philosophy – Success comes from seizing opportunities, acting decisively, and leveraging resources (loans, investments, partnerships).

3) Real-World Cases – Covers his famous New York real estate deals, including: (1) Renovating the Commodore Hotel (turning it into the Grand Hyatt); (2) Developing Trump Tower.

4) Pros: Written in a simple, engaging style; demonstrates Trump’s aggressive business approach; offers insight into his mindset and self-promotion tactics.

5) Cons: Over-glorifies his achievements while downplaying failures; lacks a systematic business theory, making it more of a personal branding tool than a structured guide; Some content is outdated—since its publication in 1987, major changes like fintech and social media have reshaped business and negotiation strategies.

Final Thoughts

These books offer a comprehensive look at Trump’s mindset, leadership style, and negotiation tactics. Whether in business, media, or politics, his strategies remain consistent: "(1) Bold decision-making; (2) Leveraging media influence; (3) Relentless pursuit of victory." For those seeking to understand, work with, or analyze Trump, these books provide valuable insight into his thinking and behavior.

How Reading These Books Helps Us Provide More Precise Advice for Trump

1) Predicting Trump’s Decision-Making Pattern – He values branding, hands-on experience, and strong leadership over traditional academic theories.

2) Understanding His Learning Style – He does not favor pure theory; instead, he believes in “learning from others’ failures”.

3) Mastering His Crisis Management Principles – His standard approach is “never admit mistakes, keep attacking, and maintain a winning image.”

4) Familiarizing with His Media Strategy – He excels at manipulating media and using controversies to boost influence, so we must know how to help him maintain an advantage in media battles.

A Case Study from “Think Big and Kick Ass” – “Buying Land Without Money”. In the book, Trump shares a case where he wanted to buy a land but had no money at the time. However, he ultimately acquired the land without spending his own money. This case showcases his business strategy: "Use leverage, negotiation, and value creation to acquire assets instead of directly purchasing them." His Strategy as below:

1) Securing an “Option to Buy” First: (1) Instead of immediately purchasing the land, Trump negotiated with the seller to secure an option to buy; (2) This did not require upfront payment but gave him the exclusive right to purchase the land within a set period; (3) By doing so, he locked in the opportunity without committing his own money, buying time to gather resources.

2) Creating the Potential for Increased Value: (1) Trump didn’t just wait during the option period—he actively worked to increase the land’s value; (2) He did this by: Negotiating with the city government to change zoning regulations (e.g., converting the land from residential to commercial use), and publicizing potential developments to increase the land’s attractiveness, above actions boosted the market value of the property before he even purchased it.

3) Using Leverage – Finding Investors: (1) Once the land’s value increased, Trump attracted investors and banks willing to finance the deal; (2) He created an image of high potential, making it easier to secure loans or partnerships for development.

4) Executing the Purchase with Other People’s Money: (1) By the time he officially purchased the land, he already had financial backing; (2) Instead of using his own funds, he used "bank loans, partner investments, and future lease agreements as guarantees to cover the purchase price."

As a result, he acquired the land without risking his own capital. Applying this strategy beyond real estate, Trump’s tactics later influenced his business and political strategies, such as: (1) Using free media exposure instead of spending his own money on advertising during his presidential campaign; (2) Turning controversies into opportunities, increasing his brand value and public influence. This case study perfectly illustrates Trump’s core philosophy: “Think big, make bold moves, and don’t rely solely on your own resources—create opportunities so others invest in you.”

Trump’s Strategic Patience – The 40 Wall Street Story

During our visit to 40 Wall Street (The Trump Building), they shared how, in the 1990s, while facing financial difficulties, he set his sights on acquiring the property. However, he watched as a fashion retailer purchased it before he could act. Determined, Trump called the new owner to explore a potential partnership, but was rejected. Instead of giving up, he waited patiently and strategized his next move. Three years later, the fashion retailer approached Trump, asking, “Would you like to take over?” Seizing the opportunity, Trump acquired the 72-story building’s leasehold for just $1 million.

Fig 4: The Trump Building at 40 Wall Street, New York

This story highlights Trump’s calculated patience and hunter-like strategy—instead of chasing after deals desperately, he positions himself so opportunities come to him.

In "The Apprentice" (2025), Trump emphasizes that success is not just about skills, but about attitude and mindset. He argues that the biggest difference between successful people and ordinary individuals is not how many resources they have, but how they think and act. “Passion is more important than skill.” Trump believes that if you don’t love what you do, you will never truly succeed. Many people focus too much on techniques and tools, but without passion, even abundant resources won’t take them to the top.

This philosophy applies not only to business but also to politics, personal growth, and life strategies. If we aim to be Trump’s partners, understanding these principles will help us communicate with him effectively and align with his strategic style.

In "Never Give Up," Trump recounts the early 1990s financial crisis, when his business empire was burdened with $ 9 billion in debt, pushing him to the brink of bankruptcy. However, he did not see this as the end, but as a turning point. He focused on rebuilding his empire, making a remarkable comeback to become a billionaire once again. Trump’s Comeback Strategy:

1) Mindset Shift – He refused to see failure as a final verdict and instead treated it as a temporary setback.

2) Brand Value – Even in difficult times, he maintained his public image, ensuring that banks and investors continued to see him as a valuable asset.

3) Leverage & Financing – Instead of using his own money, he relied on bank loans and investor funds to regain his footing.

4) Action Over Perfection – He did not wait for the perfect opportunity—he took immediate steps to restore market confidence.

Trump’s ability to turn crises into opportunities remains a core aspect of his business and political strategies today.

Trump’s Formula for Success: Four Key Elements

Trump once said: "To win, I am willing to do anything—as long as it’s legal." In New York’s ultra-competitive real estate industry, he learned to play against the best and toughest players. His success is built on four fundamental principles:

1) Aggressive Negotiation: Trump views negotiation as a battle—a hardball game where you must make your opponent realize you are not easy to deal with. In New York’s cutthroat real estate market, he mastered the “first strike, constant pressure, never back down” strategy. He leverages time pressure, psychological tactics, and even media influence to gain an edge in negotiations. For example:

(1) Trump Tower Tax Breaks – He successfully convinced the New York City government to grant him a major tax exemption, saving him millions of dollars.

(2) Legal Warfare – When rivals tried to block his projects, he fought back aggressively, sometimes using lawsuits and legal maneuvers to exhaust his opponents.

2) Mastering Media: Trump believes: "If the media talks about you—good or bad—you’ve already won half the battle." He is a master of publicity, always ensuring he stays at the center of public attention. He understands how media works, often creating controversy on purpose to control the news cycle and force opponents into reactive positions. For example:

(1) 2016 Presidential Campaign – He bypassed traditional media by using social media, especially Twitter, to speak directly to his supporters, disrupting the mainstream media’s ability to control the narrative.

(2) “Trump Effect” – He deliberately sparks debates and dominates news headlines, making it impossible for the public to ignore him.

3) Leverage and Influence: Trump rarely uses his own money—instead, he leverages other people’s money to fund his projects. His investment philosophy: “Don’t spend your own money—get banks, governments, and investors to pay for your vision.” This leverage mindset extends beyond real estate to his political and economic strategies. Securing Foreign Investments – After taking office, he attracted major investments, including:

(1) $ 1 trillion from Japan (negotiated with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba).

(2) $ 100 billion from Taiwan’s TSMC (semiconductor manufacturing).

4) Never Admit Defeat: Trump firmly believes: "Admitting mistakes means losing—and losing confidence is worse than losing money." Examples of his unbreakable persistence:

(1) 1990s Debt Crisis – Even with $ 9 billion in debt, he told the media: "Everything is under control." He used time and negotiation to restructure his loans and ultimately made a comeback.

(2) 2020 Election & 2024 Victory – Even after losing the 2020 election, he refused to concede. Instead, he channeled voter anger to maintain influence within the Republican Party, eventually securing his 2024 election win.

Trump’s aggressive negotiation, media dominance, leverage strategies, and refusal to back down define his success—whether in business, media, or politics.

My business is built on cutting-edge technology, always focused on solving problems for clients. This business model is quite different from Trump’s real estate operations, where success often relies on capital maneuvering, government relations, and negotiation tactics. In contrast, success in the technology industry depends on innovation, data analysis, and user experience. However, integrating Trump’s experiences and strategies into the tech sector offers valuable insights.

A few days ago, I sent a message to Trump referencing “2 Samuel” (12:1-6), using its parable to symbolize Taiwan as a single lamb, emphasizing Taiwan’s limited resources and vulnerabilities. Today, I received an email from Trump, in which he mentioned that, after discussing with Vice President J.D. Vance at Mar-a-Lago, he made an important decision regarding the opening of more "highly selective spots"—indicating that these advisory roles will have greater influence in government decision-making.

Taiwan cannot remain incubating a single lamb—it needs to cultivate more lambs, which is why the “National Defense Alliance for Rich Taiwan” (NDART) should align with the "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) movement, especially where their values and objectives overlap.

Fig 5: The Logo of NDART

MAGA & NDART: Shared Values & Strategic Cooperation

MAGA is built on the core principles of economic growth, national defense, and safeguarding national interests. Similarly, NDART’s mission is to enhance Taiwan’s economy and capability of national security while strengthening its position in the international community. This shared vision creates a natural foundation for collaboration. Key Areas of Cooperation

1) Technology & Investment Partnerships: Strengthening Taiwan-U.S. corporate collaboration in key sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and green energy; and attracting U.S. investment and technical support to jointly develop new technologies.

2) Cultural Exchange & Public Diplomacy: Enhancing academic and cultural exchanges to increase American awareness of Taiwan’s development potential and strategic importance; and building media and diplomatic narratives that highlight Taiwan’s innovation and geopolitical value.

3) Economic & Defense Cooperation: Reinforcing Taiwan’s role in the global economy while addressing the threats from hostile neighbors, and establishing mutual economic and defense interests through deeper U.S.-Taiwan cooperation, ensuring Taiwan aligns with MAGA’s mission to restore America’s global leadership.

By linking NDART with MAGA, we create a strategic alliance that benefits both Taiwan and the United States, fostering prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific.

Fig 6: We won the e-commerce bill at APEC 1998

In the end, Trump has already withdrawn from several international agreements — such as the “TPP” and the “Paris Agreement.” If he were to withdraw from “APEC” (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) as well, what losses would Taiwan face? In the past, when we proposed the electronic commerce legislation to gain “Steering the E-Commerce” within APEC, the U.S. representatives provided strong support, bringing significant benefits to Taiwan. Therefore, forging a strong alliance between MAGA and NDART is imperative.

Peter Lichang Kuo, the author created Taiwan's Precision Industry in his early years. Peter was a representative of the APEC CEO Summit and an expert in the third sector. He advocated "anti-corruption (AC)/cashless/e-commerce (E-Com)/ICT/IPR/IIA-TES / Micro-Business (MB)…and etc." to win the international bills and regulations.