Donald Trump pushed back against attacks on his business prowess this week, showing off examples of Trump-branded water, wine and steaks. But Trump's own ties to those products may not be as strong as he suggested.
KELLY MCEVERS, HOST:
Anyone tuning into Donald Trump's post-primary press conference last night could be forgiven for thinking they'd stumbled onto the Home Shopping Network. Trump used the national TV platform to defend his business reputation. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.
SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: So there was a leading Republican presidential candidate onstage at a Trump-branded golf course promoting Trump-branded water, wine and steaks as if to reassure voters there's no problem with the size of his portfolio.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
DONALD TRUMP: So you have the water. You have the steaks. You have the airline that I sold. I mean, what's wrong with selling? Every once in a while, you can sell something. You have the wines and all of that.
HORSLEY: The infomercial was a calculated rebuttal to Mitt Romney's charge last week that Trump had overstated his business prowess, a key selling point in the billionaire's presidential campaign.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
MITT ROMNEY: Whatever happened to Trump Airlines? How about Trump University? And then there's Trump Magazine and Trump Vodka and Trump Steaks and Trump Mortgage. A business genius he is not.
HORSLEY: Whatever Trump is - a builder, dealmaker, star of his own nonstop reality show - he's also a salesman who rakes in millions of dollars by putting his name on a wide array of products, from neckties to cologne. A closer look at the Trump product showcase last night, however, suggests they may be more sizzle than steak.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TRUMP: We have Trump Steaks, and by the way, you want to take one, we'll charge you about - what? - 50 bucks a steak. No, I won't.
(LAUGHTER)
HORSLEY: Where's the beef from? Those steaks bore the label of Bush Brothers Provision Company, a West Palm Beach vendor that merely supplies meat to Trump resorts. A Bush Brothers spokesman says Trump has no ownership stake in the business. OK, so what about Trump Water?
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TRUMP: Well, it's a private little water company, and I supply the water for all my places. And it's good, but it's very good.
HORSLEY: Reporters who looked at that water, like Zeke Miller of Time Magazine, noticed it's bottled in Connecticut by a company called Village Springs. A spokeswoman there says the company supplies private-label water to many customers. Donald Trump has no financial stake in the operation. She referred other questions to the Trump campaign which didn't respond to a request for comment.
Donald Trump built his reputation and much of his fortune as a successful developer, but in recent years, his business has largely morphed into licensing the Trump brand to others. According to Yahoo News, for example, Trump actually owns less than a third of the Manhattan buildings that bear his name. That's allowed Trump to profit from his growing celebrity without having to risk much of his own capital.
For many people, the Trump name implies quality and luxury, but they can end up disappointed when they learn the limits of Donald Trump's involvement. Trump's facing several lawsuits, for example, over the now-shuttered Trump University which promoted itself as teaching the billionaire's moneymaking secrets. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, argued in a CNN interview that the so-called university did not offer instructors hand-picked by Trump as advertised. Instead, the teachers came from retail and fast food.
ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN: If you tell people, we're going to teach you Donald Trump's secrets and he's never had any part of writing the curriculum, that's fraud.
HORSLEY: Schneiderman is seeking tens of millions of dollars in restitution. Last week, a New York appeals court ruled the case can go forward. Trump insists many students offered glowing reviews of the university and says he's eager to re-launch it once the lawsuits are resolved.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TRUMP: I don't settle lawsuits - very rare - because once you settle lawsuits, everybody sues you - very simple.
HORSLEY: Trump did settle a lawsuit, though, over a failed condominium project in Baja, Calif. It was called Trump Ocean Resort, though Trump himself played almost no role in the development which was never completed and cost investors more than $30 million. One unhappy investor told NPR he never would've bought into the property had he suspected Donald Trump was little more than a marketing gimmick. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
http://www.npr.org/2016/03/09/469836959/trump-steaks-wine-water-why-donald-doesnt-own-most-of-those-products
Today at 7:08 am by Rocky
» Ports Authority notes the fate of the five berths in the Grand Faw Port
Today at 7:03 am by Rocky
» MP: Why is the regional government fighting the civil banks war and leaving the core of the issue?
Today at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Political researcher: The amendment will include sovereign ministries
Today at 6:54 am by Rocky
» Retirement: End of service bonus paid to more than 7,000 retirees
Today at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani stresses the importance of the role of the Audit Bureau in combating administrative an
Today at 6:48 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani and Al-Hakim discuss parliament’s approval of important laws
Today at 6:47 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary consensus to pass controversial laws soon
Today at 6:45 am by Rocky
» Currency Auction.. Increase in the Central Bank of Iraq’s sales of foreign remittances
Today at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Interior Ministry dismantles 600 drug networks, electronic passport to be introduced soon - Press co
Today at 6:41 am by Rocky
» utube 11/2/24 MM&C Report-Iraq 3 Presidents-National-Constitutional Entitlements-Open Market Operati
Today at 5:22 am by Rocky
» utube 11/5/24 MM&C MM&C News Report-ICC-Investors-RIYADA BANK-Port of Faw-3 Presidents Seated-Removi
Today at 5:20 am by Rocky
» Foreign Minister warns of major and dangerous economic repercussions
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Roadmap for Reform
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Government reshuffle looms over Al-Sudani’s cabinet.. The compass of change is heading towards 4 min
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary move to legalize foreign labor in Basra
Today at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Parliament intends to amend the retirement law and return the service age to 63 years
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary move to question a senior official and complete procedures against the Minister of Com
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Legal expert explains the mechanism for forming the Kurdistan Regional Government
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Silk Road imposes a state of maximum alert suddenly
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Sheikh Raouf: There is an urgent need to find a constructive, corrective opposition in Kurdistan
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Green light from Baghdad to build the first waste recycling plant in eastern Iraq
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» MP: Al-Mashhadani discussed 3 important files with parliamentary blocs
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» MP: Al-Mashhadani's election will not affect the completion of legislation
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: Investment in associated gas in fields exceeds 60%
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» IMF: Foreign investment outperforms sovereign funds in generating growth in Gulf
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Categories exempted from the curfew in the population census.. Get to know them
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Kurdish investment trend in central and southern Iraq.. What are the reasons?
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq exports more than 6 million barrels of oil to America in a month
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» The Private Banks Association supports the Prime Minister’s directives to localize private sector em
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary confirmation to support financial oversight in combating corruption
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Next Sunday.. Celebrating Baghdad Day
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Sayyid Sistani's commandments
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» New services for health insurance subscribers
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs ministries to leave (cash)
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Mr. Sistani sets a roadmap for Iraq’s prosperity
Today at 4:40 am by Rocky
» OPEC+ postpones production increase
Today at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Government Advisor to {Sabah}: Turkish companies’ expertise has given them importance in implementin
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» The future of smart cities in Iraq is on the table for discussion
Today at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Expectations of achieving agricultural self-sufficiency within 3-5 years
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Ministry of Agriculture: Launches the Electronic Inquiry System Service
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Electricity contract employees demonstrate in Maysan to demand permanent employment
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Sudani
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil exports to America amounted to more than 6 million barrels during the past month
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Launching the major national campaign to raise awareness of the Social Security Law
Today at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Private Banks Association: We support the Prime Minister’s directives to localize private sector emp
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee: The Social Security Fund has become sovereign and the legislation of the la
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Britain launches programme inside Iraq to combat 'Kurdish human trafficking gangs' in France
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Warnings of delay in forming the regional government: will push regional and international parties t
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Dollar prices rise again in Baghdad Stock Exchange and Exchanges
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani praises the assistance provided by the United Nations mission to Iraq in facing challenges
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» The Private Banks Association announces its support for Al-Sudani’s approach to localizing private s
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Interior: We have achieved a very significant decrease in crime rates across the country
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» The Private Banks Association announces its support for Al-Sudani’s approach to localizing private s
Today at 4:14 am by Rocky
» Iraq, Saudi Arabia sign MoU for military cooperation, boost bilateral ties
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Transportation: Direct flights to 4 global cities
Today at 4:11 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister stresses importance of Mr. Sistani's diagnosis of Iraq's needs
Today at 4:09 am by Rocky
» “To enhance national security”.. Parliamentary Committee: Intelligence Service Law is ready to be pr
Today at 4:08 am by Rocky
» Optimism for a bountiful agricultural season.. Kurdistan Region records record high rainfall amounts
Today at 4:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Sistani’s “Seven Commandments” occupy Iraqi politics.. A reading of the position of the authority
Today at 4:05 am by Rocky
» As the date approaches, will Article 140 hinder the population census?
Today at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister directs unification of efforts in the Iraqi Media Network
Today at 4:03 am by Rocky
» “Framework” coups with Sunni facades on the map of local governments in preparation for the 2025 ele
Today at 4:02 am by Rocky
» Parliament intends to extend the legislative session for a month
Today at 4:01 am by Rocky
» Difficult tests facing Parliament.. What are the scenarios for the remainder of the current session?
Today at 4:00 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Security: Iran will launch a new strike against “Israel” within a short period.. What
Today at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Barzani to Romanowski: We have started negotiations to form the tenth government and no veto on any
Today at 3:58 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs the localization of private sector salaries and sets a date for the departure of c
Today at 3:57 am by Rocky
» Bakhtiar Haji meets a delegation from the General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Kurdistan Regi
Today at 3:56 am by Rocky
» New Cities Authority sets timeframes for project completion, reveals details of its services
Today at 3:54 am by Rocky
» Oil announces completion of drilling and rehabilitating 15 wells during the past month
Today at 3:53 am by Rocky
» Ministerial Council for Economy: Taking the necessary measures and decisions that contribute to mark
Today at 3:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Legal: There is a trend to extend the legislative term of Parliament
Today at 3:50 am by Rocky
» What is the truth about extending the legislative term of the House of Representatives?
Today at 3:48 am by Rocky
» The "Freedom of Demonstration" Law is Ready for Voting.. How Was It Amended?
Today at 3:46 am by Rocky
» Mr. Al-Sadr on the US elections: It is shameful for an Arab to pin his hopes on a senile or insane p
Today at 3:42 am by Rocky
» Laws stuck hostage to disputes between blocs
Today at 3:41 am by Rocky
» Doubts after the decline in power supply at the beginning of each month.. Is there a deal between ge
Today at 3:37 am by Rocky
» Integrity and the Financial Supervision Bureau agree to activate the cooperation agreement between t
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani faces 170 suspended laws.. Will they be approved or deported?
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary demands to cancel the security agreement with Washington
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» MP: Oil derivatives smuggling has decreased by 80% in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» After years of controversy, the Minority Protection Act is submitted for the first reading
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sayhoud: The ministerial reshuffle is useless for several reasons
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Iraqi government makes changes to the General Secretariat: Al-Juhaishi succeeds Al-Halbousi
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Extension of the legislative term of the Iraqi parliament for an additional month to pass laws
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: The necessity of strengthening Iraq's position to be at the forefront of the region'
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Transportation: We are determined to pass the Civil Aviation Authority Law
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Council: Study of the reality of companies applying to implement projects
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Water Resources announces its control over the oil slick in the Tigris River
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction: A new government vision for distributing serviced lands among those entitled to them
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Immigration Committee demands increasing the amount of the return grant
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Accreditation of specialized graduates to support quality control
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Heritage markets and buildings in Mosul after its reconstruction
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Specialized committee to ensure acceptance of cybersecurity outputs
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Interior issues mechanisms to regulate the work of private security companies
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Council: Study of the reality of companies applying to implement projects
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Welcome to the trends of establishing an administrative capital
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Securities trade more than 88 billion shares
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky