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| Author | Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Donald Trump, his wealth, and his family |
| Published | September 17, 2024 |
| Publisher | Penguin Random House LLC |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 528 |
| ISBN | 9780593298640 |
Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created The Illusion of Success is a nonfiction book by New York Times investigative journalists Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner. It was published on September 17, 2024 by Penguin Random House LLC.
It covers Donald Trump’s inherited wealth, financial and business practices alongside providing insights into his many claims on being a self-made man. The book also delves into Trump’s father Fred Trump’s wealth and fortune and how they were used as a financial leverage for his son. It also challenges the long-standing narrative that Trump built his empire from a modest loan, instead saying that he inherited the equivalent of over $400 million from his father.
Craig and Buettner say that Trump, despite receiving substantial financial backing, repeatedly lost money on ventures, only to be bailed out by luck or the efforts of others. He was able to use the television show The Apprentice to rebrand himself during financially difficult times, ultimately leading to his political ascent.