Arguably, Donald J. Trump might be one of, if not the, most controversial figures in American history.
His meteoric rise in prominence began in the 1970s as a wealthy, handsome real estate mogul in New York City who frequented the infamous nightclub Studio 54 with beautiful celebrity stars. His appearances on many of the top talk shows hosted by Geraldo Rivera, Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno, and David Letterman only furthered his fame and notoriety. Some of these appearances gave slight glimpses into the mind of Donald Trump, but, for all intents and purposes, they were mainly ‘puff’ pieces designed to provide the real estate celebrity with more branding and fame.
It is widely known that Trump has ridden the rollercoaster of success and failure. He has hit rock bottom by being forced to declare bankruptcy on multiple occasions, and he has ridden the tide of success to become fabulously wealthy and everything in between. How many people do you honestly know who can claim (legitimately) to have written multiple best-selling books with sales in the millions and had a multi-year highest-rated primetime television show? Not many would be the answer.
Between his skyscrapers in New York City, golf resorts globally, his now famous “Trump Force One” luxury Boeing 757 jet airplane, hotels worldwide, and even wine, Donald Trump had truly branded his family name for all time to the bulk of the planet Earth. All of this happened prior to his winning the presidency of the United States, which has landed him in the history books for centuries to come.
The Donald Trump that America knows is a larger-than-life figure who loves to tout his successes, possessions, and visions, often in very lofty terms. Trump is also a man who relishes in on-camera political fisticuffs with reporters (often calling them fake news), opposing politicians, and even celebrity types who disagree with him. There is no questioning that Donald Trump enjoys (almost baths in–to the point of euphoria) a verbal sparring match with liberal political opposition.
The amazing thing about Former President Trump is that there is a little-known flip-side to this brash-talking fellow filled with more testosterone than ten men normally have. Through all of the macho bravado spewed on camera by Donald Trump, there is a side that only a few ever get to see. It is this side of Trump that if the world knew more about, he would be elected in a landslide sweep, and yes, even liberals would vote for him. His polling numbers would skyrocket, and he would be beloved by the American people much as they loved Kennedy, FDR, and George Washington.
Personal Anecdote:
In August 2015, then-President Trump came to the Iowa State Fair. Since this was the summer just prior to the Iowa Caucuses, which would be held in January 2016, all Presidential candidates would attend the fair. Everything is pretty much scripted for most of these White House hopefuls. They usually pet a cow, visit the famous “Butter Cow,” give a speech standing on haybales, eat something chocolate coated or a corndog, grill a burger, and shake thousands of hands while roaming around the fairgrounds. And they do all of this with news cameras rolling.
Donald Trump arriving at the little league ballfield behind the Iowa State Fairgrounds. On this day, he also gave children a ride around the fairgrounds in his luxury jet helicopter.
On this particular day, Trump had flown in and landed behind the fairgrounds in his Trump-branded jet helicopter at a little league ball field. He was met by a caravan of golf carts, which would take him and his security detail into the fairgrounds. I happened to be part of this, to my great delight, for what I was about to witness has kept me in tears (every time I think about it) for all these years.
We rolled into the fairgrounds by the cattle barns, and Trump immediately spotted a little lady (around 80 or so years old) sitting in a wheelchair holding an “I heart Donald Trump sign.” Something along the lines of what her granddaughter likely made for her. He stopped the caravan, I got out to watch what was about to happen, and Trump walked up to this little lady, bent down, kissed her forehead, then got down on one knee. He put his hands on either side of her face, looked her in the eyes, then said something in my 40 years of hanging around candidates and elected officials, “I have never heard one say this.” “Tell me, dear, if I am elected President, what can I do to make your life a little better?” It was nearing 100 degrees that day, and he was dressed in slacks and a sports coat. He stayed on the ground with this lady for approximately 15 minutes in the hot sun and never took his eyes off her; he listened. To this day, I can remember her hugging him, him nearly crying while listening to her, and the crowds being held back by his security detail. This is the Trump that I wish America knew. He showed more compassion toward her than I honestly have ever seen any other politician do.
The point being, at this juncture, the cameras were still ahead toward the middle of the fairgrounds awaiting his arrival. He did not have to stop. It was hot, it was crowded, and he had a schedule to keep. Due to his compassion for people, he did stop; he truly listened to this lady with no fanfare, no crowd shouting support, and nobody but myself actually heard what he said. (I was standing less than 3-feet away)
When you hear the media pundits talk about Trump’s narcissism, his arrogance, his ego, and his self-indulgences, you might want to remember this story. Donald Trump has a heart of gold, which you will learn more about in part two of this series. He truly loves people, and he truly loves this nation.
I asked him once, “Sir, why are you doing this?” “Why not just buy a small island, build a golf course, and call it a day?” He laughed and said, “Ken, why do you think I am doing this?” After some talk of the economy and such, in the end, he said, because I am the only one who can save this nation, and I want to leave a great nation for my children and grandchildren. He meant that, and I believed him then, and I still believe him to this day.
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About The Author
This is a great article and I know you’re on the Mark, Not because I know Trump but because I paid close attention to who he is and what he does. I love this man because he is as genuine as can be, and he truly loves this country and the people in it! The people that don’t like this man and don’t want a chance to know him, it’s their loss! The people that know him and still hate him, it’s because of their agenda and who rules them. They are going to mow down anyone who gets in their way including Trump who many of them once admired and loved. So if you don’t know who Trump really is, please get to know him, it will make all the difference in your opinion! And it really is a matter of saving this country. God bless Trump and God bless the USA !!