The Controversial 'Art of the Deal': Debunking Donald Trump's Sales Claims

Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, frequently cites the bestselling success of his memoir The Art of the Deal. However, the veracity of his claims about the book’s sales numbers has been called into question by various sources. Let us delve into the details and analyze the credibility of Trump’s assertions.

The Antiquity and Dearth of Evidence

#1 Antiquity of the Book

Before the 2016 election, many critics doubted the scope of sales for The Art of the Deal. According to some, Trump’s own statements placed the sales at no more than 250,000 copies, which is a far cry from the millions claimed by others. In the world of business literature, it is not uncommon for books to sell millions of copies, even decades after their initial publication.

Newspaper Lists and Presidencies

#2 Boosts with Political Power

Some argue that The Art of the Deal enjoyed a considerable boost during Trump’s presidency, which naturally placed it on many bestseller lists. However, such assertions lack concrete evidence. Despite these supposed boosts, the book has never appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list, much less as a number one contender. It is often cited as another example of Trump's unreliable portrayal of reality.

G/host Writer's Perspective

#3 G/host Writer's Regret

Adding to the controversy is the opinion of Trump's retired ghost writer. In an interview, the ghost writer confessed to feeling regret over authoring the book, especially after getting to know Trump better. This statement challenges the myth of The Art of the Deal's immense success and underscores the personal shortcomings of the author, potentially casting a shadow on the validity of its claims.

Contemporary Amazon Rankings

#4 Current Amazon Rankings

Despite the historical skepticism, recent data from platforms like Amazon reveal a different story. Currently, the paperback edition of The Art of the Deal is ranked number one in the Entrepreneurship category on Amazon. This ranking has led some to conclude that the book holds significant commercial success. However, a closer look at the factors behind this ranking raises questions.

#5 Bulk Buys and List Manipulation

It is essential to consider the possibility that bulk purchases might skew sales figures. Publishers often order large quantities of a book, which inflates sales figures but do not necessarily reflect actual consumer demand. A notable example is The O'Reilly Factor by Bill O'Reilly, whose book saw large print runs that did not always match actual sales. In this context, the high ranking of The Art of the Deal on Amazon could be due to such practices rather than genuine popularity.

Conclusion

While The Art of the Deal might have achieved some commercial success, the extent to which it measures up to Trump's grandiose claims is debatable. Skeptics argue that historical context, current rankings, and ghost writer's opinions provide a more accurate picture. It is incumbent upon readers and consumers to critically evaluate such claims before accepting them as fact.