“A first-rate financial thriller . . .

Lucky Loser is one of those rare Trump books that deserve, even demand, to be read.” –Alexander Nazaryan, The New York Times From the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters behind the 2018 bombshell New York Times exposé of then-President Trump’s finances, an explosive investigation into the history of Donald Trump’s wealth, revealing how one of the country’s biggest business failures lied his way into the White House Soon after announcing his first campaign for the US presidency, Donald J. Trump told a national television audience that life “has not been easy for me. It has not been easy for me.” Building on a narrative he had been telling for decades, he spun a hardscrabble fable of how he parlayed a small loan from his father into a multi-billion-dollar business and real estate empire.

This feat, he argued, made him singularly qualified to lead the country. Except: None of it was true. Born to a rich father who made him the beneficiary of his own highly lucrative investments, Trump received the equivalent of more than $500 million today via means that required no business expertise whatsoever.

Drawing on over twenty years’ worth of Trump’s confidential tax information, including the tax returns he tried to conceal, alongside business records and interviews with Trump insiders, New York Times investigative reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig track Trump's financial rise and fall, and rise and fall again. For decades, he squanders his fortunes on money losing businesses, only to be saved yet again by financial serendipity. He tacks his name above the door of every building, while taking out huge loans he’ll never repay.

He obsesses over appearances, while ignoring threats to the bottom line and mounting costly lawsuits against city officials. He tarnishes the value of his name by allowing anyone with a big enough check to use it, and cheats the television producer who not only rescues him from bankruptcy but casts him as a business savant – the public image that will carry him to the White House. A masterpiece of narrative reporting, Lucky Loser is a meticulous examination spanning nearly a century, filled with scoops from Trump Tower, Mar-a-Lago, Atlantic City, and the set of The Apprentice .

At a moment when Trump’s tether to success and power is more precarious than ever, here for the first time is the definitive true accounting of Trump and his money – what he had, what he lost, and what he has left – and the final word on the myth of Trump, the self-made billionaire.

Venture into the extraordinary life of one of America’s most controversial figures in Lucky Loser. Through meticulous research and thrilling narratives, this book delves into Donald Trump’s financial escapades and the strategies he employed to craft an image of unparalleled success. From his investment decisions to his bold public persona, the book unveils how Trump navigated between fortune and infamy, keeping readers at the edge of their seats with revelatory insights and enthralling anecdotes.

Engaging both supporters and critics alike, Lucky Loser is a compelling exploration into the world of wealth, power, and perception.

Donald Trump's financial empire was built upon the foundation laid by his father. Image management played a crucial role in Trump's public success narrative. The book reveals behind-the-scenes maneuvers that shaped Trump's business legacy.

Discover the intricate journey of Donald Trump as Lucky Loser takes you behind the curtain of his financial empire. Delving deep into the origins of his wealth the book reveals how Trump navigated business landscapes armed with his father's fortune. Each chapter meticulously uncovers decisions alliances and mishaps that marked Trump's rise and controversial career.

Through gripping stories and detailed analysis readers witness the dual nature of Trump's legacy. While some hail his endeavors as masterstrokes of business acumen others see them as squandered opportunities masked by vigorous public relations. The book presents an unbiased narrative that draws from historical documents and firsthand accounts painting a vivid picture of ambition and illusion.

Journey into the boardrooms and beyond as Lucky Loser dissects both triumphs and failures offering readers a comprehensive understanding of Donald Trump's enigmatic presence in the world of finance and politics.

Lucky Loser offers a unique blend of historical analysis and storytelling, drawing readers into the lived experiences behind Donald Trump's public persona. This book stands out by its meticulous examination of financial records, creating a compelling and factual narrative that separates myth from reality. Engaging interviews with key figures from Trump's past provide eyewitness perspectives, enriching the reader's understanding of his controversial journey.