What's In It For Trump?.....

[global1]

I'm kinda pondering that today after I've heard some snippets of the speech he's giving this afternoon.

He's wealthy - so I don't really think that money is motivating him. He knows he could do better at increasing his wealth by not being President.

He doesn't seem like he is doing this because he's a political animal and wants to be a career politician.

I know he has a huge ego - but he's been tooting his own horn most of his life and I don't think he needs to be President to continue to toot it.

So why is he in this thing? Could it be he really believes what he is saying and he is in it for altruistic reasons?

Just curious - what are your thoughts?

[niyad]

1. altruism and donald trump in the same sentence? let alone the same universe???

[LiberalElite]

11. And... there it is again ! -

[Mass]

2. Promoting his brand.

This is all Trump is about. His brand was not going great before the election season. His business was slowly getting into trouble. NBC was getting rid of his show.

If you look at how his value his fortune, the vast majority is his brand. If his brand value diminishes, he will become less rich on paper.

I think this is essentially why he is in it (and because he has something against Bush -- most likely because Bush opposed casinos in Florida when he was governor and he wanted to build one --. Nothing altruistic.

[global1]

5. Isn't He Hurting His Brand As Much As He's Helping His Brand?.....

Isn't it kind of a wash. He might have picked up some support in his bid for the Presidency - but he's also alienated as many or more people.

[Mass]

6. He extends his brand throughout the world by this campaign

Sure, he may be seen less favorably in this country (though I doubt that it will change anything because it is mostly the continuation of his birther appeal), but Trump is an international company, and there, he can expand.

See an brief explanation here.

The main question is when does he get out and how?

http://www.inc.com/chris-matyszczyk/donald-trump-running-for-president-is-bad-for-my-brand.html

...
Sometimes you decide to grow your brand in different directions and not all your customers and business partners will like it.

You then must calculate where the greater long-term benefit lies.

Donald Trump is surely now more famous in many parts of the world. When the election cycle is done and he has been narrowly defeated for the Republican nomination by, um, Mike Huckabee, he can--if he chooses--build more hotels and golf courses in expanding parts of the world. He'll even be able to make his golf courses only for the rich.

He will be welcomed as a famous person. After all, America is the world's favorite reality show.

Worldwide brand recognition just can't be beat, can it?

[Princess Turandot]

15. His current net worth from two moderate sources in this area..

Bloomberg puts his net worth at $2.9 billion; Forbes puts it at $4.5 billion. Most of his worth comes from his actual ownership share of some very lucrative buildings. (There are also numerous properties that pay him to use his name, but that's not that much, relatively speaking.)

Trump usually claims to be worth $10 to $12 billion: the difference between his estimate and the financial publication estimates is the 'brand value' b.s.

Some of the difference between the Forbes and Bloomberg numbers is that Forbes increases the value of the real estate holdings for 'market value' to some degree, even where the property is held by tenants under existing longterm leases. And they give him some credit for branding, but nothing like he does.

From Bloomberg:

The Bloomberg index values the real estate based on income it currently produces. Trump’s retail spaces could fetch higher rents if vacated and leased to new tenants at prevailing rates. It doesn’t value Trump’s brand beyond accounting for cash held in accounts for his licensing deals and business partnerships. Trump’s own estimations include much higher values for his brand.

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-07-28/here-s-our-tally-of-donald-trump-s-wealth

[B Calm]

3. It's always about the money with republicans.

[treestar]

4. To get attention

He could get the media to follow what he does, but a lot of people would ignore it. To say he's running for POTUS gives new reason for the media to follow him and keep following him.

[Jim__]

7. His ego was bruised and he realized the president had more power and influence than he does ...

at the White House correspondents dinner:

[center]

[/center]

I really believe that's what's behind it.

[monmouth4]

9. ^^^^^This a million times.^^^^^^^^^

[Live and Learn]

8. I think he hates the Bushes for some reason.

I believe he wants Hillary to win. He will drop out after ruining Jeb Bush's chances.

[ablamj]

12. yes

This

[Avalux]

10. POWER. He's a psychopath and his ego wants it more than anything. n/t

[frizzled]

13. He wants to make America great again. It's on his hat!

nt

[WinkyDink]

14. E. G. O. It's really quite simple.