“Mr. Trump is also very concerned about those issues,” Meredith said. “He wrote a great book about it.”
“The America We Deserve,” Kim said.
“Yes,” replied Meredith. “He wrote about his concern with those issues as well as the threat of terrorist attacks even before the attack on September 11th.”
“Before 9/11?” asked Kim.
Meredith nodded, “He has a whole section not only on terrorism, but he also talks about the out-of-control national debt. But he doesn’t just identify problems; he also goes into his unique solutions.”
Kim nodded. She had loved the book.
Meredith continued, “There is a lot more to Mr. Trump than simply television shows, beauty pageants, casinos and real estate. Anyone concerned with our current global problems and how to solve them should read his book.”
“So we definitely have some issues in common. We have both been teachers and speakers. I find it interesting that such a rich and famous celebrity as Donald Trump would speak to the general public. In fact, I have been curious about why he teaches. But we’re both always in such a hurry, I never get a chance to ask him.”
“He’s a natural teacher,” Meredith said. “I’ve seen that over the years working for him. Just look at The Apprentice. When Mark Burnett proposed the idea for the show to him, Mr. Trump insisted the show have educational value or he wouldn’t do it.”
“Exactly,” Kim said. “I watch for the lessons in business. And I like learning how he handles different situations. But the best part is how he shares the thought process behind his actions. I like knowing why he fires someone.”
I said, “The Apprentice is entertaining as well as educational. I don’t feel like I’m wasting my time. I always feel I’ve learned something practical, something I can use.”
“Maybe the angle of this book is that you are both teachers,” Kim chimed in. “After all, you both are entrepreneurs and real estate investors. You founded a gold-mining company in China and took it public, also a real estate investment company, a silver-mining company in South America, and an oil company. Lots of people know that, just like they know about Trump Tower and Trump Place. But they don’t know the two of you are teachers.”
Most rich people don’t want others to know how they got rich, much less tell people about their failures…
I want people to know because it’s how I learned so much. I want people to know that, rich or poor, we all have financial problems.
– Robert T. Kiyosaki
“I failed to find oil,” I said sarcastically.
Kim laughed. “Not every business succeeds,” she said.
“And Mr. Trump has not always succeeded,” added Meredith. “He’s had his challenges, too.”
“He was very public about his financial challenges in The Art of the Comeback,” Kim said. “That was a great book, too.”
Meredith smiled and nodded, “In spite of your financial challenges, you have both been very public about your successes as well as your failures. Tell me, why have you been so open about your financial troubles?”
“Because I want people to know that it’s how I learned so much. I want people to know that, rich or poor, we all have financial problems,” I answered.
“Exactly! Mr. Trump is the same. He truly wants people to learn. That’s why he shares his wins as well as his losses. How many other rich people will do that?”
“Not many,” I said. “Most rich people don’t want others to know how they got rich…much less tell people about their failures…and that includes my rich dad’s family.”
“How so?”
I looked to Kim, and she smiled reassuringly. “After I wrote Rich Dad Poor Dad,” I said, “I took the book to his family, and the family asked that their family name not be disclosed in the book…even though I said nothing bad about my rich dad. They simply didn’t want anyone to know how they got rich. So to respect their wishes, I have not disclosed the name of my rich dad.”
“And has that caused you problems?” asked Meredith.
“Yes,” I replied. “Some people have even called me a liar, saying there never was a rich dad.”
“It’s ridiculous,” Kim said. “All Robert was doing was respecting the wishes of the family.” We respect their privacy. This was a sore subject for both of us. “Most rich people want to keep their success secrets to themselves.”
“Which is where you and Mr. Trump are different from other rich people,” smiled Meredith. “You are both teachers and are willing to share what you know, in spite of the criticism.”
“Mr. Trump is criticized for teaching and sharing his knowledge, too?” asked Kim.
“Oh, yes. More than you know.” said Meredith. “A lot of people think he talks and writes and creates educational products like his TV show and his board game because he wants more publicity or more money. While he does make more money and the publicity is good, his primary motive is to teach and educate people. He really wants others to become rich. He is very concerned about the financial situation our nation and people face. He is worried about how mismanaged our economy is and how it will affect the world. He wonders why there is no financial education in our schools. That’s why he is very generous with his knowledge.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It was Rhona, Donald’s personal assistant. She said, “Mr. Trump will see you in five minutes, and he apologizes for the delay. He hates to keep people waiting, but he was tied up on a phone call.”
“Not a problem,” I said. “The extra time with Meredith has been useful.”
After Rhona left, Meredith stood to lead us out of the boardroom. I looked around the plush interior and thought back to places I had worked. “You know,” I said, “Donald and I both had rich dads who we learned from and often worked for. So, in many ways, we were both apprentices as youngsters.”
“So maybe what you have in common is that you really are teachers, and you can become mentors to the world,” Meredith said as we headed out of the boardroom and across the hall to Donald Trump’s office.
A Meeting of Minds
“Welcome,” Donald Trump said, standing up from behind his desk. “My apologies for keeping you waiting.”
“Not a problem,” I replied as I looked around his office, noticing all the awards and plaques and gifts from people all over the world. Beside his desk was the radio equipment he uses for his weekly radio show. It was all very impressive.
After the usual pleasantries, we got around to why we were meeting in the first place. “So what should our book be about?” asked Donald.
“I believe we’ve all had the same question,” I replied. “Since there is such a wide gap between our respective real estate dealings as well as the size of our respective financial statements, I don’t think we match when it comes to money. After all, you’re a billionaire, and I’m a mere millionaire.”
Donald chuckled. “Don’t ever put down being a millionaire. Billions of people would love to trade places with you financially.”
“I realize that, but there is a definite