Donald Trump: Trump: How to Get Rich

Tom Fazio calls in to go over some course plans and to give me an update on my New Jersey golf course. He loves what he does and that’s made apparent by his attention to detail. John Mack of Credit Suisse calls in. Despite his great accomplishments, he remains an unassuming man—the work is what matters to him. These are two easy and informative calls. People have to understand that I’ve been dealing with all kinds of people and industries for a long time, so I can pretty readily discern who the goof-offs are and who the solid-gold people are. So if you hear me blow up in my office at someone or something, there’s usually a reason for it. It can be as clear as day to me, and I see no reason to tolerate someone being inefficient or irresponsible. I do my best, and so should they.

I heard someone who had worked with me for a long time describing me as a generator—someone who revs up, keeps going, gathers momentum, keeps going at a higher level, and all is well—except for the boiling point. Because when something causes me to explode, believe me, there will be a lot of energy behind it. But, hey, at least I can be honest about it, and his assessment is accurate. A great Palm Beach lawyer called me a reverse tornado—I build everything in my path, instead of destroying it.

Robin comes in to tell me the copies I want are delayed because our copy machine is on the blink again. I can’t believe it. With all the amazing inventions of today, can’t they design a copy machine that won’t break down every three minutes? This is one thing that can make me lose my temper. I personally call Pete Strada, our director of purchasing, and ask him when the lease is up on this terrible machine. I want it out of here.

10:00 A.M. Norma comes in and we go over the event I’m hosting with Heidi Klum and Jonathan Tisch for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. It will be held at Sotheby’s next month. We also discuss some interview requests and invitations, seeing if and how we can fit them into my schedule. Every week we think that week can’t be topped, then the next week is even more hectic, so what’s happened is that our stamina has increased. I am much busier now than I have ever been. That’s one reason I don’t complain much. I literally don’t have time to.

I take a call from Tony Senecal, the head butler and historian at Mar-a-Lago. This guy is terrific and a great asset to Mar-a-Lago. He fills me in on the latest, and I’m glad he has X-ray vision when it comes to details.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten calls in. In addition to being a genius when it comes to food, he’s also a visionary. He’s a celebrity in his own right, but I can tell you that what really matters to him is cooking—and when you visit any of his restaurants, you’ll find out what I mean.

10:30 A.M. Tina Brown, of publishing fame, calls. We weren’t always on such good terms, but we put our differences aside. I enjoy talking with her. She’s quick and insightful.

I ask George Ross and Carolyn Kepcher to come in. I’ve decided they should play themselves in pivotal roles on The Apprentice . They both agree and do not seem put out at all. There won’t be any acting involved, because to them it will be another day on the job. Maybe a longer day on the job, but just another day. Total pros.

I take a call from Jim Dowd, senior press manager at NBC, regarding The Apprentice , and one from Jay Bienstock, a producer on The Apprentice . Both guys know exactly what they’re doing, which is a relief to me. Then I yell at some contractors for a while. It’s too boring to tell you about this, but it’s something that is absolutely necessary in real estate development and construction. I spend much of my days doing this.

I take a call from Eliot Spitzer, the New York State attorney general. He is one smart guy, who has an even more brilliant future ahead of him. He is just amazing!

11:00 A.M. I go down to the large conference room to see some plans for a possible new development. Charlie, Russell, Jill, and Don Jr., my development team, go over them with me. This could be a go, but I’ll have to think about it a bit more. I don’t have a formula for making decisions—each situation is unique, and I allow my assessment to be equally unique, with no time constraints. When it’s right, it will be right. I may have the reputation of being brash, but I am very restrained in regard to making decisions. People don’t see the process—they only see the results.

11:30 A.M. I return nine calls and realize I’m looking forward to having lunch at the golf club and a round of golf with Bill Clinton, David Granger, and Alfons. It’s a beautiful day, and I love checking out the course. That’s one reason I don’t feel too guilty about taking a Friday afternoon off—I’ll still be working.

Someone sends in a big box of Godiva chocolates. This will be tough, but I’ll just look at them for a while and then put them outside for my staff. Who says I’m not a nice guy? Ditto for those Belgian truffles. Life can be tough.

12:00 P.M. I ask George Ross to come in, and we go over a few things. George brings the word laconic to life. Five minutes with him equals one hour with your average lawyer.

12:05 P.M. I decide to call Mike Donovan. I want to see how the work is going on my 727. He says it will be ready next week, which is good news, as I want to visit my golf course in California.

12:15 P.M. Mark Burnett and his two producers, Jay Bienstock and Kevin Harris, come in for a meeting, to go over the assignments to be given to the sixteen candidates on The Apprentice . This is an interesting process. We want to make sure that each assignment has a purpose beyond entertainment. These guys are not only nice, they’re intelligent. I really feel they’ve got their bases covered. Any apprehensions I had about the TV show have evaporated.

12:45 P.M. I go through twenty-seven requests, including invitations from Norway, Peru, and India. Norma tells me I should view the video made for Trump Park Avenue before I leave, which has some beautiful footage. It’s a great video.

1:00 P.M. I collect my papers and faxes and ask Rhona to call the elevator and to tell Eddie to have the car ready in fifteen minutes.

I make my exit. It’s been a great week. I just hope the car is ready. Otherwise, Eddie’s in for it—big time.

Here I am with Mark Burnett, creator of The Apprentice , and Jeff Zucker, president of NBC Entertainment.

Over the past few years, since reality shows came into vogue, television networks have been trying to get me to do one. They approached me with offers for substantial amounts of money, but the concept was always predictable. They wanted to follow me around with cameras, watching me make deals, brush my teeth, and, most certainly, comb my hair. None of this appealed to me at all.

One day, I was approached by the head of CBS Entertainment, Les Moonves, who wanted to broadcast the live finale of the hit series Survivor from Wollman Rink in Central Park, which I control through a long-term lease. It sounded like a great idea to me, especially when they told me they were going to build a jungle to replicate the one in which the Survivor contestants had been living.

When I arrived at Wollman Rink that night, I was amazed to see what they had been able to do. They had transformed a city skating rink into an exotic wildlife scene. As I was heading toward my seat, an attractive young man approached me and said, Hi, Mr. Trump, I’m Mark Burnett and I’m the creator of Survivor .

I said, Mark, you don’t have to tell me that. Everybody knows who you are, but it’s really nice to meet you.

He said, You know, Mr. Trump, I have an idea and I’d love to see you at your earliest possible convenience.