Real estate developer Donald Trump has a new business advice book out, which means he's happy to chat with the NY Times Magazine's Deborah Solomon about various financial news. He blasts, AIG (but does point out many bankers didn't cause all the turmoil), says his real estate business is just fine ("Most of my jobs were finished prior to the depression, as I affectionately call it.") and gives his thoughts on Bernard Madoff. Trump claims the Ponzi schemer asked him to invest with him, to which he replied, "No thanks, I can lose my own money." The Donald also thinks Madoff's relatives and associates were in on it: "The wife should be put in jail on the other side of the hallway from him. I think she’s guilty, his sons are guilty, and I think that many of the people in the firm are guilty. He had 16,000 clients, and he’s one man. What, he’s going to send out every envelope every week?" He also tells Solomon, "extreme luxury will never be out of fashion" and "You should make this interview a five-page deal. Because of me, everybody will read it."
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2025. Donate today