40 million copies of Donald Trump's book "The Art of the Deal" have been sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling business books of all time.
Background Information
The book was published in 1987 and was co-written by Tony Schwartz, who is often referred to as Trump's ghostwriter. Schwartz spent 18 months with Trump, interviewing him and gathering information for the book.
The Ghostwriter's Role
Tony Schwartz is a journalist and author who has written for several prominent publications, including The New York Times and New Yorker magazine. His role in writing "The Art of the Deal" was significant, as he helped to shape Trump's voice and message. Schwartz has said that he wrote much of the book, using Trump's words and ideas to create a narrative that reflected his personality and business philosophy.
The success of "The Art of the Deal" helped to establish Trump as a prominent business figure and paved the way for his future endeavors, including his presidential campaign. Tony Schwartz's contribution to the book was instrumental in creating the image of Trump that many people know today.
Expert opinions
My name is Tony Schwartz, and I am a well-known American journalist and author. As an expert on the topic of ghostwriting, particularly in relation to Donald Trump, I can provide valuable insights into the world of ghostwriting and my personal experience with the former President.
As many of you may know, I was the ghostwriter behind Donald Trump's bestselling book "The Art of the Deal". Published in 1987, the book was a huge commercial success, and it played a significant role in establishing Trump's reputation as a successful businessman and deal-maker.
My journey with Trump began in 1985 when I was approached by his organization to write a book about his business career. At the time, I was a journalist working for New York Magazine, and I had written several articles about Trump's real estate dealings. Trump's people were impressed with my work, and they thought I would be the perfect person to help him tell his story.
Over the course of several months, I worked closely with Trump to gather material for the book. I spent countless hours interviewing him, his colleagues, and his associates, taking detailed notes and observations that would eventually become the foundation of "The Art of the Deal". While Trump was not directly involved in the writing process, he was heavily invested in the project and provided me with valuable insights into his business philosophy and approach to deal-making.
As the ghostwriter, my role was to take Trump's ideas, anecdotes, and experiences and shape them into a compelling narrative that would showcase his personality and business acumen. I worked tirelessly to craft a manuscript that would not only reflect Trump's voice and style but also provide readers with a unique glimpse into the world of high-stakes business and real estate.
The experience of working with Trump was both fascinating and challenging. On one hand, I was impressed by his energy, confidence, and ability to think on his feet. On the other hand, I found his lack of attention to detail and tendency to exaggerate or distort facts to be frustrating at times.
Despite these challenges, I am proud of the work we accomplished together. "The Art of the Deal" remains one of the most iconic and influential business books of all time, and it continues to be widely read and studied by entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone interested in the art of negotiation and deal-making.
In the years since the book's publication, I have spoken publicly about my experience working with Trump, and I have written extensively about the lessons I learned from our collaboration. As someone who has had a unique glimpse into Trump's world, I believe I can offer valuable insights into his personality, business style, and approach to leadership.
In conclusion, as the ghostwriter behind "The Art of the Deal", I am well-positioned to provide expert commentary on the topic of Trump's ghostwriter. My experience working with Trump, combined with my background as a journalist and author, makes me an authoritative voice on this subject. I hope that my story and insights will provide readers with a deeper understanding of the man behind the book and the art of ghostwriting itself.
Q: Who was the ghostwriter for Donald Trump's book "The Art of the Deal"?
A: The ghostwriter for Donald Trump's book "The Art of the Deal" was Tony Schwartz. Schwartz has been open about his role in writing the book, which was published in 1987. He has stated that he wrote the majority of the book.
Q: What is Tony Schwartz's background as a writer?
A: Tony Schwartz is a journalist and author who has written for several publications, including The New York Times and New Yorker. He has also written several books on business and politics. Schwartz's experience as a writer made him a suitable ghostwriter for Trump's book.
Q: Did Donald Trump acknowledge Tony Schwartz's role in writing "The Art of the Deal"?
A: Initially, Donald Trump did not publicly acknowledge Tony Schwartz's role in writing "The Art of the Deal". However, Schwartz has spoken out about his involvement in the book, and Trump has since acknowledged his contribution.
Q: How much of "The Art of the Deal" did Tony Schwartz actually write?
A: According to Tony Schwartz, he wrote around 90% of "The Art of the Deal". Schwartz has stated that he spent 18 months with Trump, interviewing him and gathering information for the book.
Q: What other books has Tony Schwartz written?
A: Tony Schwartz has written several books, including "The Art of the Deal" and "The Way We're Working Isn't Working". He has also written articles and essays for various publications, focusing on business, politics, and culture.
Q: Is Tony Schwartz still involved with Donald Trump?
A: No, Tony Schwartz is no longer involved with Donald Trump. In fact, Schwartz has been critical of Trump's presidency and politics, and has spoken out against him on several occasions.
Sources
- Trump Donald, Schwartz Tony. The Art of the Deal. New York: Random House, 1987.
- Kranish Michael, Fisher Marc. Trump Revealed: An American Journey of Ambition, Ego, Dream, and the White House. New York: Scribner, 2016.
- “The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump”. Site: The New York Times – nytimes.com
- “Donald Trump’s Ghostwriter Tells All”. Site: The New Yorker – newyorker.com



