Interview with Donald trump in the journal, 1990.

Pure gold — he was there, for example, casually predicts the overthrow of Gorbachev. Generally, about trump's fashionable to say that he's a clown, a populist chameleon. Well, here's an interview from 25 years ago, in which he says exactly the same thing today. There even about the presidency is. "- Want to be President? — Categorically no. Change your mind, only if I see that the country is going to hell."

Eighteen million eight hundred sixty five thousand four hundred


Questions: Glenn Plaskin, March 1990. Translation: Grigory Nikolaev

Donald trump one. He didn't sleep for two days. Six o'clock in the morning, and Donald was sitting in the study at the top of trump Tower in the centre of his Empire, bent over papers. No insomnia, no disturbing thoughts. "The circumstances of me the dream will never spoil, says trump, sipping ice-cold Coca-Cola. — Every night I sleep four hours. I throw it in the air the ball — and then sleep like a baby". In three hours, bringing their bright hair, trump with his usual arrogance said that he was going to buy for 7.5 billion dollars, the main airline of the country — American Airlines. Bid trump's $120 per share; the price jumps from $16 to $99. Sorokatrehletnyaya billionaire, already owns a large stake in American Airlines, smiling broadly. A week later, the market collapses on 190 points and Donald withdraws his / her offer — maybe only for a while. Despite the article that trump's bid was for show, designed to raise the price of his package, trump says, looking into space, "No. I want to buy".

Because stomach Donald trump begins to rumble when you can buy the best.

From a hapless Saudi financier Adnan Khashoggi Donald for $29.000.000 acquired it lined with gold and onyx, the yacht — now it's worth $100.000.000. Then trump paid $365.000.000 for the Eastern airlines Shuttle, and immediately renamed it the Trump Shuttle; aircraft upgraded interior, and the flight attendants began to strut around in pure wool and pearls.

A year earlier, the trump for $400.000.000 bought the Plaza Hotel and now lovingly restore the building, not intending to change the name. Oversees the repair of the Empire Queen of trump, Ivana, a former Olympic skier and fashion model. Run Ivana is a triplex in trump Tower. The first triplex had 50 rooms, but then the premises have expanded — now rooms more than a hundred. "More dressing," jokes Ivan. Trump proud of his Palace, the pink marble (no money spared), says: "I am all the fucking mountain bought! You are such a color never seen. The material offered Ivan his background and the people look better."

The Tramp there is a country mansion house with 47 rooms located on a plot of 10 acres in Greenwich, Connecticut. In the ownership of the trump is the famous estate of Mar-a-Lago. In the estate of 118 rooms; it was built Marjorie Merriweather Post, is located on palm beach. Get to the trumps Mar-a-Lago on a private Boeing 727 and the military Puma helicopter of the French production.

"Princess of the trump" — "boat" (as trump calls it), previously owned by Khashoggi became tight. Now the Princess at the Dutch shipyard converted into a Queen — its total cost will exceed $175.000.000.

Such luxury, despite the many belonging to the Trump charity organizations, excites his enemies. Spy magazine, the new York monthly humorous publication, happy to lead their obscene vendetta against the Trumps, naming them only as "monsters from the books of Dickens". Time published an article about the decline of Atlantic city and blames trump for his role in the creation of a new image of the city, tormented by crime and divided between the super rich and the poor. In the Upper West side Manhattans attacked trump for his plan to build a huge complex of buildings, trump city (the project is a 150-meter skyscraper). Phil Donahue accuses trump casino in ruin gullible visitors. Assistant to ed Koch, the outgoing mayor of new York city, called trump's "the most arrogant son of a bitch who only walked the land".

What can I say. Trump young, blonde — and a billionaire.

All these problems are a little worried about Donald. The most successful entrepreneur since the Astors, the Vanderbilts and Whitney, Donald John trump, in detail understood the "the art of the deal" — which allows him not only to earn money but also crush your competitors.

For example, take the Merv Griffin. Griffin acquired belonging to the Trump International Resort Inc. For $365,000,000; Trump, who bought the company a year before it cost $101,000,000. Ten months after the purchase, Griffin found that he had bought a pig in a poke. He not only inherited the hanging in the hotel-casinos debt of $925,000,000, but also suffered a loss of $46,600,000 in the first half. Now there are rumors about the impending bankruptcy of Merv and the lawsuit he plans to file against trump.

Donald is something to think about in anticipation of the opening of the entertainment complex "the Taj Mahal" is worth a billion dollars. Rumor has it that Donald was going to build a casino in Nevada, buy Tiffany's, NBC, New York Daily News or the hotel Waldorf. "I need Waldorf, playful tone he Coos into the phone to sleep without it can't." What about the presidency? No, for this it is necessary to go on elections, but trump doesn't have the patience. Too much to do!

The future billionaire was born in new York Queens, a family of simple millionaire Fred trump, the developer, has made its 20 million state housing low and medium price range in Queens and Brooklyn.

Of the five small Trump only Donald showed interest in construction; he visited the construction site, accompanying father ("who ruled us steel hand"), and at the same time setting an example to his younger brother, Robert, showing who in their 23-room main house. Today Robert is the Vice-President of the Trump Organization.

In eight years little Donald took Robert's favorite dice and glue them in a huge skyscraper, and has not returned — even then, trump has realized that he wants to build in Manhattan.

Fred trump, without end firmly about the importance of the ability "to make money", believed forever Stepanova Donald "wild and hairy". The father sent Donald to the Military Academy of new York city in Cornwall-on-Hudson; some say it was this instilled Trump inferiority complex that pushed him to the future take-off. Donald two years studied at Fordham and two at the Wharton school of business at the University of Pennsylvania. He then spent several years in selling real estate in the mid — and at the age of 28 years showed themselves. Closely examining the challenges facing Manhattan, Donald saw his chance in the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad and was purchased from the railway station that stood on the banks of the Hudson. Now there is a new York exhibition complex and the Commodore Hotel, recently renamed the Grand Hyatt.

Donald has not only managed to convince banks to give him loans of $80.000.000, but urged officials to give him a tax rebate for another $ 120 million.

That is persuasion, the art of self-promotion and arrogance were the basis of style, which trump conducts business; at the same time it differs a thorough and meticulous administration.

In 1979, at the age of 33 years, Donald $20,000,000 bought the building the store Bonwit Teller on Fifth Avenue, received a tax rebate of $140.000.000 — and three years later was built on the site of the store in the trump Tower, the beautiful 68 floors with a six-story atrium. Every day the building is visited by hundred thousand people live here, johnny Carson and Steven Spielberg.

Gaining status, which his father could not dream (900 million dollars cash, weekly income of $ 50 million from the hotels and casinos and property in the amount of 3.7 billion), trump started making reputation.

As stated in its boastful slogan, "everything is now working on a trump". Donald owns two residential complexes — trump Park and trump Plaza; soon finishes the construction of the trump Palace in Miami, and Atlantic city are the trump castle and the complex "Taj Mahal", a book of trump Trump: The Art of the Deal, written with Tony Schwartz, won first place in the bestseller list New York Times longer than any other business book since the book Iacocca. Trump released a Board game (of course, called Trump: The Game; the game, however, failed). On television will soon begin showing it's a TV game show called guess again! — Trump Card. Donald belongs to the Cycling race the Tour de trump (the billionaire notes that the name still sounds better than the Tour de Jersey). In short, you see the big picture, right?

"Insight is the most valuable thing with me — says Donald without any modesty, I know what people want and what they will buy."

Trump managed to visit the Olympic games 1976 in Montreal, to marry Ivan Zelnickova (who swore all his life to look like at 29 years) and have three kids — Donald Jr. (age 12), Ivanka (8 years old) and Erika (6 years old).

Despite the luck of trump in the Affairs of the family are faced with problems. Sisters trump has made a career — Maryann became a Federal judge in new Jersey, and Elizabeth joined the leadership of Chase Manhattan. But the elder brother of Donald, Fred, hated working with real estate, became a pilot, started drinking, and in 1981, died of alcoholism at the age of 43 years.

Trump took seriously the helicopter crash last October, during which killed three of his key employees. The trump at the last minute decided not to fly with them, deciding it was too busy. "I never thought — said to me today trump — I never thought that the death of foreign people like me will be affected. This is a huge loss".

"I work, do not worry and try to protect yourself. But in the end, we all go in (hopefully) a better world", — with fatalism says Donald.

To appreciate the world in which trump lives now, we sent Glenn Plaskin known publicist and journalist New York Daily News, for an interview. The interview was preparing for a long time two times it broke. Plasky was finally able to negotiate with trump and talked with him several times over the 16 weeks.

Here is what he wrote.

"The first time we talked in trump Tower. I closely examined the tall guards and I entered the room. Trump collapsed in a chair at the table; he's funny stooped down and cut his nails. "In this position I do my best thinking," he said dispassionately.

In our next meeting, I noticed that I like to try to catch him by surprise, quickly changing the subject. He was often off memorized answers, but we have a lot of time spent together and have often dealt with really interesting topics. When I asked how it relates to abortion, he frowned, frowned, and asked me to turn off the recording. He had no particular opinion about abortion — I have it, or what, is? At this point I thought he was just a man.

Trump's assistant, Norma, Pardner, followed by the decoration of his office, to give a very high-quality vaudeville. She then hung on the walls of the new magazine covers in gold frame, made cheesecake, it was dragged into the office of a stuffed skunk. Conversing with me, trump would sometimes answer the phone calls, but he never talked with me on the phone longer than a couple of minutes. A telephone conversation he has finished: "Well, baby, you're the best". Sometimes Ron Graff, Secretary Donald brought him some sheets of yellow paper on which were recorded the names of those wishing to speak with him. Sometimes trump urgently wanted to talk at lunch standing on the brink of ruin Adnan, Kashoggi; sometimes the meeting asked another owner of a hotel chain who wanted to sell Donald a couple of buildings. When he called the Duchess of York with the request to borrow her new helicopter, and don Johnson asked on his huge yacht, I realized that my head is spinning.

Hiding from all of the first conversation we began in the skies over the East river, sitting in a helicopter the color of the armor of Darth Vader. Trump was sitting in a chair, upholstered in dark gray leather and good-naturedly boasted to me of their Empire, stretches right from under us.

YOU ARE KNOWN TO RARELY BEING MODEST. LET'S PLAY A GAME. THE TRUMP TOWER IS...?

Best apartment complex in the world.

"TAJ MAHAL" IN ATLANTIC CITY WOULD BE...?

The world's best casino hotel.

TRUMP SHUTTLE WOULD BE?

Best airline between Washington and Boston.

YOUR HOME SOLD...?

Best. Apartments in the Tower and trump Park occupy 70% of the list most sought after accommodation in new York.

Why?

For one simple reason: people know what they are buying housing in the building that spared no expense; the construction of which used the best materials; which is in the best place of the city. Many European and Japanese investors are told their subordinates to buy apartments only in buildings trump. The Japanese investor has just paid me 20 million for seven apartments, which he turned into one.

NICELY. BUT WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW DECADE. WHAT DO YOU TELL PEOPLE WHO CALL YOU PRETENTIOUS, NARCISSISTIC AND GREEDY CHARACTER OF THE 80S?

Rich people I don't like, but laborers like me: they know I worked hard and built it all himself and not inherited from his father. I've achieved all this myself. Will dispose of their belongings as they wish.

AT THE CURRENT LEVEL OF POVERTY IS NOT A SHAME IF YOU CAN THROW DUST IN THE EYES OF THEIR WEALTH?

People have always exhibited and will exhibit their wealth on display. Then will come the crisis which is inevitable always. I'll tell you: to put wealth on display is good. People see that success to actually achieve. People see as worth living. The series Dynasty showed it all. This is very important — that people wanted to succeed. And the only way to do this is to see how to success came another.

AND YOU, COMFORTABLY ENSCONCED IN A MANSION ON THE 118 ROOMS AT PALM BEACH…

People understand that this Florida mansion is part of my business. I don't live there. I have enough one-bedroom apartments.

OH WELL.

I'm serious. All these houses, planes and yachts are just investments. I paid for the boat, Kashoggi 29 million; two years later I sell it for 100 and buy a new bigger.

WHY DO YOU NEED A BIGGER BOAT?

And for nothing. But the yacht, Kashoggi rose in price because I sell it. New boat — believe it or not — will be even more gorgeous and will draw attention to my buildings in Atlantic city.

SO WHAT ATTRACTS YOU IN THIS LUXURY?

My casino luxury because it is expected of them. I'm not gonna make to the trump castle lobby of IBM. The luxury of working for Atlantic city, Plaza Hotel, while we restored in its original form, made elegant, in 1907. But I don't all require luxury. For residential buildings simply lack luster. "Shine" is just below "luxury."

SO FOR YOU THIS YACHT, THE TOWER, ALL THESE CASINOS?

The scenery for the show.

FOR WHAT SHOW?

The show is called "the trump" — and the tickets are all sold out. I've always liked to do it, like now — and I think most interesting to look at all this.

Fifty four million four hundred six thousand twenty three

DO YOU THINK THAT HATERS ARE JEALOUS OF YOU?

Yes, whatever they thought most interesting for me to see.

CALVIN KLEIN, DO NOT HAVE AND SHARE YOUR CONDITION, OFTEN SAID THAT FEELS GUILTY FOR HIS WEALTH. What about you?

It does not paralyze me — but Yes, I feel something similar.

NOT VERY MUCH LIKE.

I feel some guilt. I live well, I like to live like, and I know that many people live much worse. I have a conscience. I create a charitable Fund; donate large sums of money. I think people respect that about me. I started this company himself — and the workers know it. But rich people don't like me; they wanted all of this to get for himself.

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF GREEDY?

I don't think I'm greedy. Would have not donated a dime. I'm on my money Wollman contain ice Ring in new York; gave all royalties for the book. Every year give millions to charity. If I was greedy…

AS LEONA HELMSLEY, THE QUEEN OF ATELIERS, WHICH RECENTLY WAS FOUND GUILTY?

Yes, as Leona Helmsley. It's vicious, horrible woman — it systematically tramples the name of Helmsley in the dirt. I know her very well; better than she knows only Harry [Helmsley]. If Harry is to blame, it's the fact that she too much was allowed.

When I was 20 years old, Harry in this town was a great man. I drove around Manhattan, saw him on the corner, stopped, introduced himself and offered him a ride. I parked on the left side of the street, the movement was on the right — so he asked me to get out of the car so he could go to the left. I thought, "Conservative man." Himself if he never tried to evade taxes. But Leon its all pulled and pulled. To him all this money was like you the coins in my pocket, believe me.

Leon, by the way, not a good businessman — it's a terrible businessman. She sold me the hotel "St. Moritz" a couple of years ago, I earned it since more than a hundred million. She was awfully kept this hotel. It is all the movement for women's equality back fifty years ago threw. It is terrible — I think so, to be her husband is hell on earth.

AND YOUR WIFE, IVANA, CONTAINS THE "PLAZA" GREAT, RIGHT?

I said to Ivan: "If Leon does something, do the opposite." [Laughs.], "Treat people well". Yes, it is so good.

I THINK LEON JUST GREEDY?

No, not just. She's crazy. Leona Helmsley just a bad person. It to subordinates is worse than anyone I know. And I know pretty tough people.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS WITH SUBORDINATES?

Every morning I walk through the atrium in the Tower. Go there... everything is fine, everything shines. I go down and always good drill. I want it to be perfect. I do all participate. I'm friends with the porter and maids in the "Plaza" and "Grand Hyatt".

Such intelligent people would asked me why I even talk to receptionist and maids. I could not believe my ears. It's the same people, on which everything rests. And if they like me, they work better... and I pay well.

YOU JUST LOST VALUABLE EMPLOYEES IN A PLANE CRASH.

Yeah. I lost not just the smartest people, the key employees of the company — I lost friends, couldn't believe it. At first I was shocked, called their wives, continued to do something... My optimism has diminished. I never thought that the death of foreign people like me will be affected.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN THE FIRST SHOCK HAD PASSED?

[Silent] This is a huge loss. I am pissed that they flew to God knows where. Was there a press conference, not about the small Boxing match. I told them not to go necessarily, but they wanted... Gave their lives for such a trifle. It was hard for me. [Silent]

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RICH IN GENERAL?

Rich people know how to survive. By nature they are divided into those who own the state inherited, and those he made himself. Those who inherited are usually pretty behaved timidly, afraid to lose what they have. And who blames them? And some take the risk and either earn more money or go bankrupt.

HOW MERV GRIFFIN? AFTER HIS COMPANY BOUGHT RESORTS INTERNATIONAL, SHE FACES BANKRUPTCY. What's the matter?

Merv's a good guy, we met; both were judges at the contest "Miss America" after made a deal. Don't want to mess with, but before purchasing Resorts he told everyone what a good deal he did, and flew trump.

pl2

Trump and Griffin

BUT YOU ARE NOT FLYING.

Let's just say he failed, paratransit trump. He now has more debts. But he is acting very effectively and has excellent PR. Business Week published an article "Donald will teach Merv the art of the deal". Then I got angry. And once again got mad when the magazines People and Time, not understanding a damn thing and not knowing anything, wrote that Merv beat Donald. Represent? Do not studied the situation. They're just listening to his PR. Now they know the truth and is asking for another article or patch. I told them: "Just forget it, it doesn't matter".

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IN MAKING THE DEAL?

I like to think of. I do what I do for fun. And I hope no one does this better than me. Good deal just beautiful. This is my canvas. And I like to work with him.

I love a challenge and love to tell the story of the son of a miner. First, the miner was sick of the "black light". Then his son. And then his son. If I were a miner's son, I'd get out of the fucking mine. But most lack imagination — or something else — and they do not get out of his mine. They have no "spark".

WHAT?

Opportunities to become an entrepreneur, an athlete, a good writer. You're either born with it or not. And this talent man either perfects, perfects, or forgets. On the day of his birth, Jack Nicklaus already was talented enough to play Golf better than anyone.

YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY SELF-CONFIDENT. HOW DO YOU USE IT IN BUSINESS?

I believe in the power of positive thinking, but also believe in the power of negative thinking. You need to be prepared for the worst. If I make the deal, I want to know what's the worst case scenario. I positively look at things, but I, unfortunately, cynical. And if everything goes to hell, what will I do? I want to be in that position? If you don't want, I don't make a deal. I prefer to think about the consequences of failure — consequences of success take care of themselves. And if the deal failed, the only question is, how much would I get.

HOW FAR ARE YOU WILLING TO GO INTO CONFLICT WITH A COMPETITOR?

I will demand everything that can get. In business we need to put pressure on people almost breaking up but not breaking down; we need to bring them to clinch but is not broken. It is a sign of a good businessman. Bad will push people and after scrapping.

BUT IF YOU PRESSED, AND THE DEAL FELL THROUGH?

So I pushed too far. I made a mistake. But I'm not committing them. I push until the right moment — and the result you get from the deal more than the other side.

ANOTHER ASPECT OF YOUR BUSINESS TALENT — THE RELATIONSHIP TO THE PRESS. YOU WERE ABLE TO SUPPRESS THE DOCUMENTARY, EXPOSES YOU IN A BAD LIGHT, WHICH IS PAID TO YOUR SWORN ENEMY [NEW YORK BUSINESSMAN AND PUBLISHER] LEONARD STERN. YOU THINK BEAT HIM?

Fully. A complete victory, Yes. But I don't want a long debate neither triumph nor defeat.

SOUNDS GENEROUS. BUT YOU ARE KNOWN TO TAKE REVENGE ON THOSE WHO ATTACKED YOU.

I think I'm in the business are honest, but not cruel. But if someone tries to play me unfair, I beat off furiously any other person. If someone tries to hurt you or your family, you have every right to fight back.

YOU HATE STERN?

No. Stern did not interest me. But he doesn't love me, enough love, to spend million on a documentary.

IN NEW YORK YOU HAVE A LOT OF ENEMIES. AMONG THEM, A GROUP THAT WANTS TO KEEP YOU TO BUILD TRUMP CITY ON THE HUDSON, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO ERECT THE TALLEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD. AND THEY BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL RUIN THE WEST SIDE AND OVERLOAD THE AREA. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

First, in the 40s in the West side lived more people than live today. Very few people understand it. Second, trump city is an architectural masterpiece. Third: the city needs the taxes in the new housing and shops that will bring billions of new revenues. But this group [West Pride] to oppose this at every step.

They are fighting for the sake of fighting. I sincerely believe that I offered to build a Park on 80 acres, they and it have fought. They selfishly cling to what they have, and don't want to share with anyone. And we need a new Rockefeller Center — especially considering that most of the old Mitsubishi purchased.

AMONG OTHER WEST PRIDE SAYS THAT YOUR BUILDING WILL CAST A HUGE SHADOW ON THE ENTIRE WEST SIDE, WILL CLOSE THE SUN AND DISFIGURE THE AREA.

[Angry] Yes, Lord, all the buildings cast a shadow! I want this building shook. And this is what I want. I don't want it blending with the environment so that it does not stand out. This is how to get a haircut and ask the hairdresser to cut it so that it is imperceptible. I'm competing with new Jersey, a state that just sucks the blood of new York. They have to win. Trump city will take away their trump card of buildings on the coast. In new York there will be nothing comparable to trump city!

THAT IS GOING TO BUILD, NO MATTER WHAT?

Build — but maybe not now. I'll wait until the city gets worse — every city is experiencing the UPS and downs. If I tried to build trump city in 1975, I would have given absolutely everything — the city was on the bottom. Can I stop building, wait until will rise the interest on the loans and all immediately want to trump city.

YOU OFTEN SAY THAT THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS — YOU ARE BOTH A GOOD BUSINESSMAN AND A GOOD MANAGER. Why?

I've seen great business go bankrupt, not being able to manage what you have purchased. At least take the [Saudi financier who is under investigation] Kashoggi. He was a great deal, but still lost. Time will tell if Merv is able to manage the received. He needs to learn this.

YOU GREW UP IN QUEENS. ABOUT YOUR FATHER SAYING THAT HE WAS HARSH AND DOMINEERING MAN. SOME SUGGEST THAT YOUR FATHER INSTILLED IN YOU AN ACUTE SENSE OF INFERIORITY. Really?

One hundred percent wrong. Father always took me. He adored Donald trump, and I always knew it. But I really wanted to prove to her father and everyone else that can succeed on their own.

YOU OFTEN SAID THAT YOUR FATHER FORCED YOU TO WORK IN ADOLESCENCE AND LEARN TO APPRECIATE THE DOLLAR.

My father never forced to work. I myself liked to work in the summer. Don't understand teenagers who sit at home all day watching TV. They do not want to fight? Work is in my blood.

BUT YOUR FATHER WAS STILL TOUGH SON OF A BITCH, ISN'T IT?

He was strong and strict father did not tolerate nonsense but never hit me. He never threatened. He rules by example, not by the beach. And he never tried to intimidate me.

YOUR OLDER BROTHER, FRED, WHO DIED OF A HEART ATTACK CAUSED BY ALCOHOLISM — HE AND HIS FATHER HAD TO BE TIGHTER?

The same treatment can have different effects on different children. Competitiveness, which in our family was the norm, for Fred did not fit. It was hard in such conditions, and that is what brought him down.

I was very close to him and was very saddened by his death... One of the hardest moments in my life…

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?

[Pause] that I have never asked. But his death affected everything that happened after... I think that I really have not thanked. He was the first of the brothers, the Trumps, and I unconsciously learned from him.

AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

I've seen how people have continually enjoyed Fred; I remember that you need to always be alert, and he didn't. He didn't wonder about the reasons for this attitude, and this is one of the most major mistakes in life. People are so gullible. And I am a very distrustful person. I constantly stare at people, automatically; I live it, good or bad.

Why?

I am very skeptical about people; it is a consequence of the instinct of self-preservation. I think that it is to the people, unfortunately, there is only him. Now very much useful for me to love. But if things go bad, no longer whether to ring phones will disappear if those who now kisses me in the ass?

I like to check on friendship strength... Everything in life is for me a psychological game, a series of tasks that you either decide or not. I am constantly checking the strength of those who work with me.

HOW?

I send to buyers people checking them for honesty, offering them to trick me and stuff. I am often surprised when people about whom I was sure that they will agree, suddenly refused — and the people who were supposed to refuse, agreed. We can't say for sure until you check it out; people are very curious. So for me friendship is tested only difficult at times.

I instinctively don't trust many people. I don't think it's a disadvantage — quite the contrary.
The magazine would not be interviewing me if I wasn't a cynic. All this was taught to me by Fred, and I owe him a lot... He was supposed to be a happy person, but there was a misfortune.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF YOUR EGO, WHEN YOU DO BUSINESS AND ENJOY THE POPULARITY?

Every successful person huge ego.

AT EVERYONE? MOTHER TERESA? JESUS CHRIST?

More than you can imagine.

AND THE POPE?

Certainly. Nothing wrong with that. People need ego, it needs the whole Nations. I think our country needs more love, because we ripped off our so-called allies: Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Korea... They just treat yourself better than us — they control a huge machine for making money, which is on our backs. Their production is better than ours just because we help them in this.

Above us laughing the whole world — we lose $ 150 billion every year, year after year, protecting rich countries and not asking anything in return; we are defending the country, without which we would be wiped off the face of the earth in fifteen minutes. Our "allies" making billions at our expense.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC SUPERIORITY OF THE JAPANESE?

Japan gets 70% of its oil from the Persian Gulf countries, relies on the fact that we protect the tankers with the help of our ships, our helicopters, our soldiers. And then the Japanese lead the tankers home and use the oil on their plants to knock it out of the game, General Motors, Chrysler, Ford. They open us heat, it's a shame. Why they're not paying us? The Japanese flatter us, tell us how great we are, we bow and then we pull money out of his pocket. We lose hundreds of billions of dollars a year and they laugh at our stupidity.

Japanese scientists are developing machines and VCRs, and our scientists are developing missiles that we protect the Japanese. Why don't we reimburse for these expenses? The Japanese make a fool of us in two great stages: first they take our money in exchange for consumer goods, and then with the money buy up all of Manhattan. And we double lose.

YOU ARE THE ENEMY OF A SALE OF U.S. REAL ESTATE TO JAPANESE?

I respect the Japanese people, I have many Japanese friends. But try to open in Japan's case, just try it. It is almost impossible. The Japanese are buying up our buildings, businesses from wall street — and stop them impossible. Moreover, new York does not make sense to offer a price for the building — the Japanese will pay more just for the sake of us to bend. They want Manhattan belonged to them.

I don't mean to complain — for me it's a direct benefit. If I wanted to sell some of their buildings, I lined up. But it's humiliating. I commend the Japanese people and their leaders — because our compared to them look second grade.

A GROUP OF JAPANESE GUESTS IN NEW YORK RECENTLY ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO BUY FROM THE STATES. THEY SAID TOWELS.

Very good deal: they buy our towels, and we buy their cars. To me it does not seem profitable. They completely outmaneuvered the American politicians; they do not respect us just because we do everything for free. And this, of course, applies not only to the Japanese and the Europeans, the Saudis and Kuwaitis just otaplivayutsya us.

ARABS SPEND A LOT OF MONEY IN YOUR CASINO, ISN'T IT?

They squander a million, some two and happy that you had a great weekend. You lose a million, you would then life suffered. And they write me letters about how they were great.

YOU BOUGHT FULL PAGES IN SEVERAL OF THE LARGEST NEWSPAPERS OF THE COUNTRY AND PLACED THERE NOT JUST YOUR OPINION ON THE FOREIGN TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT DEFENDED THE DEATH PENALTY. Why?

Because I'm scared to see how the country is going downhill. If we want to restore law and order to the streets of our cities, we need the death penalty, we need strong police. After the text about the death penalty I received 15 thousand letters with words of support. And ten or a little more from those who disagree.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE PRINCIPLE OF "AN EYE FOR AN EYE"?

If a man or a woman cold-bloodedly killed someone, they have to pay. This should be an example to all. No one can say that the death penalty does not stop criminals. We either give it back or our society will rot. It's rotting before our eyes.

YOU CARE SO MUCH ABOUT OUR DYING CITIES, BUT YOU CAN SAY THAT YOU ARE NO HELP ATLANTIC CITY- JUST GET OUT OF THE POCKETS OF TOURISTS TO 50 MILLION A WEEK.

This is a matter for the elected officials. I hate when I get blamed for all the problems of the world. Come to me and say, "why do you allow so many people to live on the streets?"like I've got the situation under control. I'm not elected.

WHY NOT USE YOUR INFLUENCE TO ATLANTIC CITY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED?

The effect is at all, but it is a problem of the government. I publish these ads, hoping to push the government to explain that Japan and other countries rip us to pieces.

HOLD ON. DON'T YOU THINK, GIVEN YOUR POSITION IN ATLANTIC CITY, YOU CAN DO MORE TO COMBAT CRIME, CORRUPTION, TO DO SOMETHING IN RETURN?

Yes, crime and prostitution are rising, and the administration of Atlantic city is breaking the law. Challenges are many, no question. But a lot of money that I earn to the casino, go to the construction of housing.

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The trump property in Atlantic city in the ' 90s

I contain hotels. All I can do, if you think about it, is just to include the best hotels, earn as much as possible to attract more money, part of which later will go to taxes. I donate to charity the millions per year. And, finally, by law I can not be any impact on the government; adopt a new law that will allow me to do something, and I'll be happy to help. I have in Atlantic city the most stunning hotels in the world. "The Taj Mahal" — it will be something incredible. And if I will be able to push local officials, I will help my country.

WE TALKED ABOUT BUILDING HOUSING FOR THE POOR; AND SOMEWHERE ELSE ARE YOU DOING THIS?

I was doing it, working with my father; I was building housing for the poor and elderly. And I will build another. The problem here is one — no one writes about it.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO YOU OFFERED TO OPEN A LUXURY HOTEL IN MOSCOW. IT WAS A GOOD TRIP?

I went over there shortly after over Russia shot down a Korean plane. And now I'm flying in my plane, and my pilot announces: "We fly over the territory of the Soviet Union." And I think, "What the hell am I doing here?»

Then I look out the window and see there are two Russian fighter... Then found out that they accompanied us. I insisted that to me was flying two Russian colonels — it was the safest way; and my pilot is not very fluent in Russian, and I didn't want any misunderstandings on the communication line.

AND WHEN YOU ARRIVED IN MOSCOW, HOW WAS THE NEGOTIATION?

I told them: "Guys, you have here a fundamental problem. We're talking about building, but no rights of ownership to land cannot be obtained; it all belongs to the state. Who will invest in the construction of the land, which is all, her mother, belongs to the Motherland?»

They answer: "No problem, Mr. trump. We shall settle the issues with the lease".

I said, "I need land, not rent."

What they thought and offer, "Mr. trump, we will create a Committee of ten people, seven of them will be Russian, and three of your representatives. All conflicts will be resolved by the Commission."

And I think, "Holy Shit, seven-to-three tales we tell each other or what?»

WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE SOVIET UNION?

Not impressed. The whole system is just a disaster. There will soon be revolution; all goes to, demonstrations, pickets. Russia suffered and the government knows it. That's my claim to Gorbachev — he is too weak.

DO YOU PREFER A FIRM HAND IN CHINA?

When they came out of the Tiananmen students, the Chinese just didn't. And then they behaved brutally, horribly, but suppressed the protest by force. Here is an example of the use of force. And our country now looks weak... we spit In the whole world…

WHY THE WEAK GORBACHEV?

I think he is overthrown — it shows incredible weakness. They suddenly — for the first time — started the miners ' strike, went down. All over the revolution. However, all praising Gorbachev as a great politician — and we need to continue praising, he destroys the USSR. But his weakness will cost him and his cronies and what they value most — their work.

IN ADDITION TO DEVELOPMENT YOU DISCUSSED WITH TOP SOVIET OFFICIALS OF THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION. WHAT IMPRESSION THEY MADE ON YOU?

In General, they are much cooler and smarter than our representatives. In our country people are not stupid, but they, unfortunately, have not elected. We still suffer from a loss of face in the Carter administration — we have helicopters in Iran into one another crashed.

In this the Carter. Here it is carried out with a treadmill, oxygen cylinder mesh. I don't want my President had to endure the treadmill. I don't want my President flew to Austria and fell in there with the ladder. Some of our presidents were complete morons. And we have to be tougher.

«RIGID.» YOUR FAVORITE WORD. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THIS?

Stiffness is the internal willingness to defeat the enemy — and to do it with a smile. Stiffness is to systematically win.

SOMETIMES YOU SOUND LIKE A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, LEAVING VOTERS.

I don't want to be President. My Foundation helps many people and the blue bird I do not chase.

BUT IF CHASE, IN WHICH PARTIES WOULD YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE?

If I were elected, I would have won as a Democrat, not as Republican. Not because I'm a liberal, I'm conservative. But hardworking I would have chosen. I like them. When I walk down the street, my taxi driver from the Windows screaming.

ANOTHER GAME: WHAT WOULD PRESIDENT TRUMP DO FIRST, ONCE IN THE OVAL OFFICE?

Many things. I would show that we are not weak. I would have imposed a tax on every Mercedes-Benz imported into the country, on all Japanese goods. And would we have again a wonderful allies.

AND WOULD HAVE SAVED YOU ALL OF OUR HOSTAGES IN LEBANON?

First, all of them our government told not to go there. The man decided to work at Beirut University against the advice, and then it seized.

HE IS GUILTY?

To regret it, but don't need around it to build our foreign policy. But when they killed Colonel Higgins — here I would have immediately gave a military response. I would choose the goal, which for them is of value, and smashed it. In other cases, I would say the hostage-takers to people that they have a week to let them go. And we will act as we see fit. We have more people is not exciting, believe me. Weakness is always punished.

DO YOU THINK GEORGE BUSH IS TOO SOFT?

I like Bush, I have always supported and will support. But I don't agree with his words about a good, quiet America. I think that if our country will become kinder, or quieter, it will simply disappear. I believe, if the foreign negotiations we were people from the business community — like Carl Icahn or Ross Perot, we would be admired by the whole world.

WHAT WOULD BE THE POSITION OF THE PRESIDENT OF TRUMP IN RELATION TO CRIME?

I see what are our true values, we see people suffer the crime, as they fear to say: "I want to see the death penalty." Well, I want. Where the country is heading, if you can't lay in the tomb the son of a bitch who robbed, beaten, killed and thrown from the window of a 93 year old woman? Where this country is heading?

WHAT IS THE OPINION OF THE PRESIDENT OF TRUMP ON THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD IN THE DISTANT FUTURE?

I think about the future, but to describe are not taken. It can be. But I often think about nuclear war.

NUCLEAR WAR?

I always pondered. Nuclear war in my picture of the world is an important element. It is the greatest of all possible disasters, the greatest threat to the world, and nobody discusses its details. It's like a disease — no one believes that sick, not yet sick. No one wants to talk about it. I think the greatest folly — the belief that nuclear war will not, because, he says, everyone knows how it will be destructive. And this is utter bullshit.

AND THAT, IN THE OFFICES OF THE COMPANY TRUMP, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO THINK THIS WAY?

Except that at the bottom. I would never have hired somebody who really thinks — because he has not enough brains. He lives in a fantasy world. It's like to think that Titanic could not sink. Too many countries have nuclear weapons; no one knows where it's pointed and which button will fire missiles.

The bomb that Truman dropped on Hiroshima, is a toy in comparison with modern. We now are aiming thousands of rockets and nobody even knows as to whether they will arrive. No they are not really experienced. These devils in the power of the wall paint can not, and we give them missiles aimed at Moscow. And if they do not fly to Moscow? But if our computers don't work? No one knows whether the equipment works, and I've read a few reports and they write that there is a possibility that the equipment may not work. It is a complete mess.

AND THAT WOULD DO THE PRESIDENT TRUMP?

He would have believed in a superior military force. He'd didn't trust anyone. He would not trust the Russian; I would not trust our allies; he had a huge Arsenal, he would have brought it to perfection and understand how everything works. The problem is in the fact that we are protecting the richest countries of the Earth free... Yes, the whole world is laughing, looking like we protected Japan…

HOLD ON. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT SOCIETY SHARES YOUR VIEWS, AND WITH WORK YOU COULD DO IT, WHY NOT GET ELECTED PRESIDENT?

I could do a better job all or at least not worse than the others. But I hope that George Bush will show his best side.

AND YOU ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO BE PRESIDENT?

I don't want to be President. I'm sure this is one hundred percent. I will change my mind only if I see that the country is going to hell.

LET'S TALK ABOUT MORE MUNDANE MATTERS. ONE OF THE MOST DISLIKED POLITICIANS, ED KOCH, MAYOR OF NEW YORK. YOU HAD A GREAT TIME: HE TEASED THE "PIG", AS YOU CALL HIM "IDIOT". WHY DO YOU THINK HE LOST THE ELECTION?

He lost his people and was arrogant. Not only did he drop his friends, but also fool criticizing them. Corruption is only part of his problem. He became nasty, angry, very cruel. He quickly betrayed.

When his friends, Bess Myerson and others, started having problems, he immediately dropped them without even knowing until the end what happened. He's only on his ass and thinks — and not about the city. Stupid situation: the only one who didn't know what his administration is falling apart, turned out to be himself. Power corrupts.

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Trump and Koch in 1983

YOU HAVE, IN THEORY, MORE POWER THAN KOCH. AND THIS POWER BECOMES MORE AND MORE. NOT AFRAID THAT SHE'LL CORRUPT YOU?

I think that sometimes power corrupts — the word "sometimes" is important.

AGAIN, ON LOCAL AFFAIRS. REPORTED THAT YOU WANTED TO BECOME THE OWNER OF A LOCAL BASEBALL TEAM IN THE NEW BASEBALL LEAGUE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE FACED WITH PROBLEMS, BEING THE OWNER OF THE NEW JERSEY GENERALS, WHILE SHE WAS ALIVE FOOTBALL LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES.

Not so much anymore. I don't want to continue. Sports is a lousy business. If the athlete is injured or ill will, he still requires money; and if he showed himself better than usual, then immediately requires a revision of the contract. I like the Boxing.

CLEAN AND STRAIGHTFORWARD SPORT. AS ONE OF THE PROMOTERS OF MIKE TYSON THAT YOU CAN SAY ABOUT HIM?

I know Mike like no other; I have a view about its merits and its vices. But it is too early to talk about it. I understand what he wants. And no, I don't blame don king is that he signed with Tyson contract, working in favor of don king.

YOU MET HIM WHEN HE WAS STILL MARRIED TO ROBIN GIVENS, RIGHT?

Yeah. Very laughed when she first said she didn't want him any money, and then sued. Mike won the case. It all ended in the moment when she decided to go to court and filed for divorce. It usually happens with Champions — champion everyone likes.

HOW IS YOUR MARRIAGE?

Perfectly. Ivan is very kind and good woman. I think she has strong instincts and drive of a good Manager. She focused and a perfectionist.

AND AS A WIFE AND NOT A MANAGER?

I am not discussing my personal life... She's a wonderful mother, a good woman that knows the business.

How did YOU FEEL WHEN JOSE TORRES WROTE HIS BOOK PARTIALLY PUBLISHED IN the Journal, ABOUT the life of TYSON? THAT HE BEATS WOMEN? ABOUT HIS EXPLOITS?

It is unfortunate that all the great fighters in the history of hanging something like that. And politicians, if you think about it. We live in an age when there are no boundaries — which is very bad for the country. We will lose talented people just because someone likes to look at beautiful girls or boys.

Adventures of the man have no relation to his work — but as someone to write about it, and we lose a good man, and the country is getting worse. I know politicians who love women and don't want someone to know about it — and then suddenly they will lose votes? And if we move in this direction, we have a problem.

WHAT FOR YOU MARRIED? HE'S MONOGAMOUS?

I can not answer this question. I never discuss my wife — one of the advantages that I am not a politician. My marriage is my personal matter and they will remain.

BUT YOU LIKE FLIRTING?

I think any man likes — and if he says otherwise, he is either lying or a politician who wants to gain four extra votes. I think everyone likes to be liked. Especially if we are talking about those layers, where a lot of successful people with a bloated ego. It is also important. People like when other it is well treated.

YOU AND YOUR WIFE ARE OFTEN THE TARGET OF VERY CRUEL JOKES ON THE PART OF MAGAZINES LIKE SPY. THERE YOU CALL "VULGAR RICH MAN WITH SHORT FINGERS". AND RECENTLY, THEY PUT ON THE COVER A VERY UNPLEASANT PICTURE OF YOUR WIFE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Ten years ago I was going through much harder things. And now I'm almost still.

THAT'S ALL YOU CAN SAY ABOUT SPY?

It's garbage.

I SUPPOSE BY FORBES DO YOU THINK IS MORE SERIOUS — THE MAGAZINE SAYS THAT YOUR CONDITION EQUALS ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS. AND YOU GIVE A FIGURE OF 3.7 BILLION. WHICH OF THESE NUMBERS IS CORRECT?

Not going to say anything. Business Week, Fortune and Forbes appreciate me more. I know a lot of people on the Forbes list, which is nothing to do there. Very inaccurate information. Malcolm Forbes, apparently, decided to belittle me. But Business Week and Fortune no yachts and they don't care.

SPEAKING OF MALCOLM FORBES. WHY DIDN'T YOU ACCEPT HIS INVITATION TO A PARTY IN MOROCCO?

I wanted to go but couldn't due to the tight schedule.

AND YOU WOULD HAVE SPENT THREE MILLION ON A PRIVATE PARTY?

For Malcolm it was a great investment. The media attention he received 50 million. He needs every day to do. Similarly, there are people who don't understand why I'm building a more luxurious yacht "trump Princess". It will be top class, something incredible.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT THE BUILDINGS. ARCHITECTURAL CRITIC NEW YORK TIMES PAUL GOLDBERGER UNFLATTERING COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR BUILDINGS. HE CALLED THEM GARISH, ARCHITECTURAL NARCISSISM.

Paul Golberger terribly bad taste. He likes the absolute failure of the building. Paul suffers from incurable defect. How architectural criticism can be bad taste?

But it works at Times, and because, unfortunately, the taste matters. That's why they are making some monsters. Leave Gender out of the Times or the Times fire him from someone — then it turns out that his opinion means nothing.

BUT NOT ONLY ARCHITECTURE CRITICS CONDEMN YOUR DESIRE TO PUT YOUR NAME ON EVERYTHING. YOU ALWAYS DO THAT?

No. I own the hotel "Grand Hyatt"; I do not call him "tramp". I own the "Plaza" and not "trump Plaza". But from a marketing point of view it is advantageous to put my name on the building. I build the trump Palace and I call it differently, I would have lost hundreds of dollars per square meter. As for the Trump Shuttle — he belongs to me only six months, and we already control 50% of the market in Washington, Boston and new York. Give I otherwise would not have such success. The tour de trump initially planned to name the Tour de Jersey. We crammed into the hall 473 journalist at a press conference about the bike; and how many would come, we all give Tour-de-Jersey? Nothing would have happened.

YOU HAVE SO MANY CLASSES, YOU MAKE AS MANY TRANSACTIONS YOU ADVERTISE SO MANY THINGS AT NIGHT, WHEN ALL THE JOURNALISTS ARE GONE, YOU FEEL PEACE AND SATISFACTION?

I'm too superstitious to feel satisfied. I try not to get stuck in thoughts of the past. People who are guilty of this, quickly go bankrupt. I'm never satisfied. Life is what you do while waiting for death. This, incidentally, is pretty sad.

Eighty seven million ninety seven thousand three hundred twenty nine

LIFE? OR DEATH?

And then, and then. Here we are, live 60, 70 or 80 — and then we don't. You can win, win and win but, in the end, it's not bloody so. But it makes sense to do it — just not to be bored.

I AGREE WITH THE T-SHIRTS — "WHO HAS MORE TOYS WINS"?

Depends on the criteria of victory. Some of my friends — incredibly rich and incredibly miserable people. I firmly believe that successful people never feel happy, because their forward pushing frustration. Never met a single successful person who wasn't neurotic. It's not so bad... a Controlled neurosis.

What do you mean?

Controlled neurosis is a huge amount of energy, a huge amount of internal discontent which seemingly unnoticed. And it also helps not to sleep for long periods of time. I sleep four hours a day. I have friends who need to sleep 12 hours and I always tell them that I have a huge head start.

AND WHEN YOU DO NOT SLEEP AT NIGHT, YOU ARE ALONE?

Yes, Yes, it is difficult to find a person who has not slept in four in the morning.

YOU MENTIONED YOU WERE BORN WITH A "SPARK". AND YOUR CHILDREN — THEY INHERITED IT?

Statistically speaking, my children have little chance. Children of successful people usually have a lot of problems. They don't have need a devil. It is impossible to know for sure until they are tested. But I have a good relationship with their children.

I THINK THEY WILL SUCCEED?

I'd really like to handle my business, but 95% of these children are unable to conduct large and complex business. We need confidence, we need intelligence, we need a trick. And if there's something there, there is nothing they will not work.

YOU ALWAYS SAID THAT YOUR EMPIRE YOU HAVE EARNED, NOT INHERITED; THAT COMPETITION AND STRUGGLE HAS MADE YOU STRONGER. AND HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR YOUR CHILDREN?

I believe in genes, I believe that even if my children don't face difficulties, they will succeed, if you have the right genes. I have a friend — he's incredibly smart. But he was never successful — it can not withstand the pressure. He bought a house and the whole tormented; a man reaches 40 years, he has IQ of 190. One day he called me for the hundredth time today, worried about the mortgage. And I was sitting in a chair, listened and thought, "I bought the airline, hotel, and never lost a minute of sleep." This is a good genes.

IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE EVER TO ACHIEVE WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED, IF THEY HAVE THESE GENES?

I don't know whether it is my children. I would like to see they learned not to build and to maintain. I don't need as the son of a great negotiator — but I'd certainly like to here it worked without me. But I wish my son was not a great entrepreneur and a great Manager.

My children have a healthy psyche. But I often wonder what they would think, having been in the Mar-a-Lago and seeing tall ceilings, which they have never seen? And when a guy a few years to ask out my daughter and will come to take her out of trump Tower that he will feel when he will take her out of here and back to your apartment?

KNOWING ALL THIS, DO YOU TAKE MEASURES IN ADVANCE?

Yes, a little late. I don't think they can send out to deliver my Newspapers. Although my son works on a yacht.

WHO IN HISTORY WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR ROLE MODEL? WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I would say "Winston Churchill", but... I always thought that Louis Mayer had lived an amazing life, Flo, Ziegfeld lived an amazing life that people like Darryl Zanuka and Harry Cohn created great and beautiful things. With my dream job would be managing Studio MGM in 30-40 years, before the advent of television.

In those days reigned the style, the magic that no longer exists. And in those days the situation could be controlled. In those days your best player might be an alcoholic, and no one ever would have known. It was possible to control things at the level that is now impossible.

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE MAGIC AND STYLE OF FORMER TIMES — BUT IS THIS WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO RETURN TO NEW YORK?

Yes, but in my business, not show business. The Plaza hotel is more expensive than any movie that I could remove. Even if I took a whole string of hits, I would not be earned and the share of that earned on the real estate. I think I added a pinch of show business in what I do and it's helped me in life.

THAT IS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HUGE YACHT IS NOT JUST OVERKILL, BUT ALSO A NEW ACT OF SUBMISSION?

So after all this attracts people. The yacht will be the eighth wonder of the world and create an aura around me that attracts people. Will cost me 200 million. But I don't need it! I would be happy in a Studio apartment. I lived. In the early 70's I lived in an apartment, whose Windows overlook the water tower.

IF YOU HAD TO START ALL OVER AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Good question... There is something very good in the ground. The earth itself is, in principle, real estate. If correctly to arrange financing, it is possible not to invest. Publishing, movies, television — everything is much more complicated. And a little bit in the world of Ruperts Mardonov, si Newhouse, Robert of Maxwell and Punch of Salzburgerhof. So I prefer to re-occupy the property.

HOW ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET?

It's a lottery. Real estate is something real. The brick and concrete.

SORRY IF ANY OF YOU KNOW HER PRETTY MALEVOLENT STATEMENTS AFTER "BLACK MONDAY" — YOU THEN SAID THAT HAD TO LEAVE THE GAME IN TIME, AND THE REST WENT BANKRUPT?

No. I'm not gloating. Somebody reported that I went out with the stock market, and I confirmed the information. Don't know, a talent, luck or instinct. Then I went back to the market. I think now we need to deal with the spot currency market. Cash it all — I love gambling more for that.

DURING OUR CONVERSATIONS YOU SEEMED TO BE VERY PLEASANT AND CHARMING PERSON — AND CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT "STIFFNESS". YOU PRETEND TO BE?

I think we all have some sort of filter. I am honest, and people working for me for years. People rarely leave me. But if someone tries to stab me in the back if someone tries to take my ass — I push a lot stronger than trying to put pressure on me. Anyone who tries to hit me will pay for it. And those who have already paid for more, not be returned. I don't like to be beaten, I don't like to use. This, incidentally, is one of the problems of our country today. We all use.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT YOU…

As I said, I study people, and during each bargaining figure out how harsh I should be. I can be a nice person, you can be a beast. You need to be able. You have to be strong. You need to be nice. You have to be ruthless. I don't know if all this learning. Either you have it or you don't. That's why most children can get in school straight a's — and then not achieve anything in life.

IS THERE ANYTHING IN YOUR NEGOTIATION PROCESS, THE GENERAL PLAN, OR ARE YOU IMPROVISING?

I improvise more often than people think.

YOU MAKE ALL NEW DEALS, MAKING NEW MONEY — AND THE BIG QUESTION ARISES ABOUT DONALD TRUMP: WHEN WILL ENOUGH BE ENOUGH?

While I like to do it until I'm bored, so... never.

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