No. of Recommendations: 14
Tony Schwartz who was the ghost writer for "Art of the Deal", which Trump couldn't be bothered to look at, had this to say about Donny:
Tony Schwartz, the ghostwriter who spent 18 months shadowing Donald Trump to write The Art of the Deal, has issued some of the most severe public critiques of the President's character and fitness for office.
His criticism, which became a prominent narrative during the 2016 election and throughout Trump's presidency, centers on several key themes:
"The Sociopath" and "Lipstick on a Pig"
Schwartz has repeatedly expressed deep professional and personal remorse for his role in the book.
• Renaming the Book: He famously stated that if he were to write the book today, he would retitle it The Sociopath.
• "Lipstick on a Pig": He described his work as "putting lipstick on a pig," explaining that he intentionally turned Trump's "bullying and cynicism" into something that appeared "boyish and ingenuous."
Relationship with the Truth
Schwartz claims that Trump has a "very thin" relationship with reality and that lying is a fundamental part of his personality.
• Compulsive Lying: He noted that "lying is second nature to him" and that Trump has an uncanny ability to convince himself that whatever he is saying at any given moment is true.
• "Truthful Hyperbole": Schwartz actually coined the term "truthful hyperbole" in the book to describe Trump's habit of exaggeration, a phrase he later said was a tactic to mask deceit.
Mental and Emotional Capacity
Drawing from his time in Trump’s office, Schwartz highlighted several behavioral traits he found alarming:
• Limited Attention Span: He observed that it was "impossible to keep him focused" on any topic other than himself for more than a few minutes.
• The "Black Hole": Schwartz has described Trump as a "black hole" who is driven by an "unquenchable thirst" for attention and validation because he cannot provide himself with a sense of internal value.
• Lack of Empathy: He characterized Trump as a transactional man who "pisses ice water," claiming he lacks heart and soul and only values people for what they can do for him.
Existential Warning
In 2016, Schwartz warned that a Trump presidency could "lead to the end of civilization" if he were to gain access to the nuclear codes, citing his volatility and impulsiveness.
