THE CON MAN

You might note that on February 27th, presidential candidate Donald Trump, during a speech in Bentonville, Arkansas, announced to the world: “The last thing I am is a con man.”

I recall my involvement some years ago attending the Trump organization’s 3-hour seminar, billed as a unique perspective into the art of investment.  To my dismay, the entire period was devoted both to extolling the wealth and personal virtues of Mr. Trump, as well as peddling a several-thousand-dollar follow-up seminar.  It was the hardest sell I’d ever experienced and induced many naive attendees at the event to sign up.

Mr. Trump is accurate when he proclaims that the last thing he is, is a con man.  It’s also true, of course, that the first thing he is, is a con man . . . as well as all the other things in between.  There can be no doubt, however, that, if nothing else, Donald Trump is a master of marketing.  The term marketing is best be described by another quotation from a 2007 Dilbert cartoon, in which the boss instructs his employees: “We can’t compete on price.  We also can’t compete on quality, features or service.  That leaves fraud, which I’d like you to call marketing.”

I don’t deny Mr. Trump has numerous abilities.  He’s rich; he’s confident; he’s most certainly forceful.  Perhaps these traits are sufficient to qualify him to become President of the United States.  If so, then I have the perfect slogan for his campaign: “Put your confidence in a man who knows what the word confidence means.  Donald Trump . . . a real confidence man.”

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If you enjoy this weekly Straight Talk by Al Jacobs, you’re invited to check out my monthly Financial Newsletter, as well as my new book, The Road to Prosperity

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