Debunking the myth Trump is a great businessman

[Albertoo]

I am surprised Democrats are not better at debunking this myth created by Trump
(without mentioning Trump's chapter 11s, because it could be claimed he ventured often)

Here is a demonstration which proves Trump did not create extra value in 35 years (1982-2016)
compared to the option he had of investing his 1982 money on the stock market:

• The first Forbes 400 in 1982 stated Trump and his father evenly split a fortune of $200M
=> Worth of Donald Trump in 1982 = $100M (* more on that later)

(*) http://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2015/09/29/inside-the-epic-fantasy-thats-driven-donald-trump-for-33-years/#7b39d7bd19ce

• Now, $100M invested in the stock market in 1982 would be worth ... 5.2 Billion in 2016

http://observationsandnotes.blogspot.sg/2011/11/if-i-had-invested-1-in-19xx.html

But, still according to Forbes, Donald is only worth ... 4.5 Billion in 2016.

(*) http://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2015/09/29/inside-the-epic-fantasy-thats-driven-donald-trump-for-33-years/#595dd95919ce

• So, all in all, Trump would have been better off by 700 million investing all his money on the stock exchange, leaving it to professionals.

**************

But wait, it gets funnier if we stick to the on-record claims by Donald Trump himself:

• In the article quoted twice (*), Donald Trump claimed in 1982 to be worth $500M.
• He now famously claims to be worth $10 billion.

$500M of 1982 invested across
- the Dow Jones would have become $25 billion in 2016 (Trump LOST $15 billion)
- the NASDAQ would have become $32 billion in 2016 (Trump LOST $22 billion)

**************
Bottom line:

By Forbes' measures, Trump is not a great manager.

By Trump's declarations, he's a horrible money manager.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. The measure I prefer is how many...

of his ventures were profitable. Not many. If any at all. What's been profitable have been the businesses where he was a minority owner and didn't get to screw things up. After his last bankruptcy, operating control was taken away from him, so you haven't heard him crash lately.

Anyway, a partial list...

Alexanders
Trump Air
Plaza Hotel (along with other hotels on Central Park South)
Casinos
Jersey Generals
Misc retail bullshit, like steaks, vodka, ties...

I'm rushing out the door, but there were more.

[Albertoo]

2. This argument doesn't work with Trump supporters

They have a ready-made answer: Trump had some bankruptcies because he tried LOTS of ventures, so some were bound to fail. And he ends up being rich (1)

The story I hear a lot is that he just borrowed one million from his father and built a personal fortune of $10 billion (2)

The way I break it down, I debunk both claims.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Nothing works with Trump supporters, so...

the point isn't to "convert" them.

More to the point is to get the word out to those on the fence.

[Albertoo]

5. Disagree. I changed some people's minds with my demonstration

[Bucky]

11. May not be convinced in one sitting. But hammering away at this and his 1000s of unpaid bills

keep up the message relentlessly and some will be convinced. Not all, but perhaps enough to flip a state or two, perhaps enough to flip a congressional race.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. All Trump sells is his brand these days. Candidacy is about that and only that. . . nt

[Albertoo]

6. Maybe, but isn't it sweet to be able to PROVE Trump is an average manager AT BEST?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

14. Indeed. . . nt

[treestar]

7. good job

And the inheritance proves he is not self made.

[Albertoo]

8. I had a Republican 'trying' to attack my demonstration

He said, basically, Trump turned a $1M loan into a $10 billion fortune.

I just answered that I proved that Trump did not create anything above just the Dow in 35 years (1982-2016), and under performed compared to the NASDAQ over that period.

So I challenged him to prove to me Trump turned a $1M loan (when? when he was 25 in 1972?) into a $100M capital in 1982.

Funnily enough, no answer

[treestar]

9. and even so

if that were true, having a father who can "lend" you one million means you are not self made.

That may come from the story that Joseph Kennedy gave each son a million when they turned 21.

Trump worked for his Dad, the ultimate in not having to hit the streets to find a job and work your way up. Ridiculous.

[Albertoo]

10. But it's funnier than that......

IF anyone could prove to me Trump Sr. lent Trump junior $1M in 1972, and that Donald turned that $1M loan into $100M assets in just 10 years, I'd be very impressed and tip my hat off to him.

It's just not feasible. Or IF he had done it, 'the' Donald would have trumpeted that feat high and low loud enough to tear down the walls of Jericho. Or his Mexican wall, for that matter.

[uponit7771]

12. This ^^^^