Summary of David Cay Johnston's The Big Cheat

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

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#1

On June 16, 2015, Trump announced his campaign for president once again, this time with a nationally televised lie. Melania Trump stepped onto a Trump Tower escalator, followed by her husband. Loudspeakers played the song Rockin' in the Free World as Melania descended toward the lower lobby. The crowd behind her wore white Tshirts with TRUMP printed on them.

#2

The first lie was the assertion that Mexican immigrants were bringing crime and drugs into the country, which was followed by a round of applause from the actors and extras. The campaign had paid Extra Mile, a New York casting company, $12,000 to hire the people who feigned support for Trump and clapped after his racist comment.

#3

Trump’s wealth was often exaggerated. He was often called a billionaire, even though there has never been any evidence to suggest he is worth even $1 billion.

#4

In late 1977, Trump was threatening to sue the city over the lack of a tax abatement for the Commodore Hotel. If you don’t give me a tax abatement, I’m going to have you fired, Ravitch recalled Trump saying.