Not Just a Madman: Trump's 11 Unchanging Decision Principles Over 40 Years
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Not Just a Madman: Trump's 11 Unchanging Decision Principles Over 40 Years
Ignore his words and focus on his actions.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: Levi 💎⚡️
Translation: TechFlow
TechFlow Editorial: Is Trump an unpredictable madman or an extremely rational calculator? After thoroughly reading *The Art of the Deal*, the book Donald Trump wrote at age 41, crypto researcher Levi discovered that this president has actually been following the same real estate playbook for the past four decades.
Whether it's extreme tariff threats, the TikTok divestiture negotiations, or his "something-for-nothing" political fundraising tactics—behind all of them lie 11 clear principles. Levi believes only by seeing through the "smoke and mirrors" Trump creates, focusing on his actions rather than words, can investors remain clear-headed amid future market volatility. This article breaks down the "source code" behind how Trump handles every situation.
When Donald Trump was 41 years old, he wrote a book called *The Art of the Deal*. I read it cover to cover—so you don’t have to.
After finishing it, I realized: Trump today is exactly the same person he was 40 years ago. The playbook he uses now as U.S. President to strike deals is identical to the one he used back then as a real estate developer.
Caption: Trump praises his own book as “the best-selling business book in history”
Below are the 11-step principles written in his own hand. Once you understand them, you’ll be able to see clearly through his smoke screens, better navigate market fluctuations, and gain a “Trump edge” over the markets in any negotiation.
1. Think Big
Trump likes setting massive goals because even if he doesn’t fully achieve them, the outcome will still exceed what smaller ambitions would yield. That’s why you constantly see him proposing seemingly insane objectives.
2. Protect the Downside and the Upside Will Take Care of Itself
Trump is skilled at provoking outrage—but equally skilled at preserving exit ramps. On China policy, for example, he first announces 100% tariffs to force the other side back to the negotiating table, then softens his tone and extends tariff deadlines once details are being finalized.
3. Maximize Your Options
Trump knows he’s playing a high-stakes game, so he never locks himself in early. In the TikTok sale case, he met with every executive to maximize U.S. equity and benefits, created urgency with tight ban deadlines, and extended them as needed—all while keeping multiple paths open.
4. Know Your Market
Trump won the election because he understood the voter market better than anyone else. You may not know that the slogan “Make America Great Again (MAGA)” was trademarked by him as early as 2012. He has an uncanny instinct for momentum, transforming from a “clown candidate” in people’s eyes into a two-term president.
5. Use Your Leverage
Trump knows factory jobs are the backbone of China’s economy—meaning Beijing desperately wants a deal. That’s why he applies maximum pressure. U.S. wholesalers can stockpile inventory ahead of a breakdown, but after a full year of pandemic disruptions, China cannot afford factory shutdowns.
6. Enhance Your Location
Coming from real estate, Trump knows America sits on a gold mine but previously bowed to environmental moralizing. He restarted drilling, making American land more valuable and attracting new foreign investment.
7. Get the Word Out
This one hits home for everyone. Trump’s use of social media exceeds the combined intensity of all previous presidents by an order of magnitude. He normalized modern political spectacle. That’s why he feels like he’s always in the news—because he literally is.
8. Fight Back
No words carry more impact than this moment:
Caption: July 13, 2024—Trump moments after being shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania
9. Deliver the Goods
Trump fulfilled nearly every campaign promise via executive order. Whether these actions will have long-term effects remains to be seen.
10. Contain the Costs
If you study how Trump conducts real estate deals, you’ll find he’s famous for “not putting in personal capital.” Instead, he gets landlords to fund projects, construction firms to build, and management companies to operate—then walks away with tens of millions in profit, leaving buildings bearing his name.
Caption: Trump SoHo project—Trump earned 18% equity and a $6 million salary through brand licensing and management alone. He invested no capital, only time.
He spent $66 million on his 2016 campaign (back when he was relatively unknown), but did you know he personally spent zero dollars on his 2020 and 2024 campaigns?
11. Have Fun
I deeply respect how consistently energetic Trump is. He’s lived an extraordinary life—and clearly enjoys every minute of it.
Caption: At a 2024 rally in Michigan, Trump performs his signature dance
Summary: How to Navigate the Coming Trump Era
Trump is not the reckless fool portrayed by the media. Beneath his impulsive exterior lies highly calculated, purposeful thinking.
Before reading his book, my impression of Trump was the same as most people’s—an ignorant, reckless, arrogant man who would destroy the country.
Now I know: Ignore his words. Focus on his actions.
This insight has given me unprecedented clarity in navigating markets—and I no longer lose sleep at night. If you ever feel unsettled by Trump’s moves in the future, revisit this article and seek to understand what he truly intends to do.
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@0xCaptainLev
