RegulationTrumpLearning
|4 min ReadThe 11 Rules of Trump: Decoding The Art of the Deal
Lucca Menezes
Senior Analyst
Published
Jan 22, 2026
The volatility in the market isn't random; it's scripted. Donald Trump is the exact same operator today as he was at 41 when he wrote The Art of the Deal. He is still using the same playbook—the "No. 1 selling business book"—to run the White House. Traders losing sleep over his tweets are missing the alpha: he is applying real estate leverage tactics to global geopolitics.
Phase 1: The Setup (Thinking Big & Protecting Downside)
It starts with Rule #1: Think Big. Trump sets impossible goals because even failure yields high results. He combines this with Rule #2: Protect the Downside. He creates chaos (e.g., announcing 100% tariffs) to force opponents like Xi Jinping to the table, only softening his tone once leverage is secured.
He never locks himself in early (Rule #3: Maximize Options). During the TikTok sale, he engaged every executive and used tight deadlines to create urgency. He wins because he executes Rule #4: Know Your Market—he trademarked "MAGA" in 2012, spotting the momentum shift years before the experts.
Phase 2: Leverage & Location
He exploits weakness relentlessly (Rule #5: Use Leverage). Trump pressed Xi because he knew China needed factory jobs while the U.S. had inventory buffers. He knew China couldn't afford a trade war while emerging from draconian COVID lockdowns that left streets in Chengdu empty.
Simultaneously, he applies Rule #6: Enhance Your Location. By restarting drilling, he turned U.S. land into a magnet for foreign investment, ignoring "environmental moral high ground" for valuation growth.
Phase 3: Optics & The Fight
He dominates the narrative via Rule #7: Get the Word Out, using social media to normalize his presence. When attacked, he executes Rule #8: Fight Back.
Phase 4: Execution & Cost Control
Ultimately, he acts via Rule #9: Deliver the Goods, fulfilling campaign promises through Executive Orders. But the key for investors is Rule #10: Contain the Costs. Trump is the king of OPM (Other People's Money). In Trump Soho, he put up $0, earned 18% equity, and took a $6M salary just for his brand.
He replicated this in politics: spending $66M of his own money in 2016, but $0 in 2020 and 2024. Finally, he sustains the energy by following Rule #11: Have Fun.
The Verdict: Trump is calculated, not reckless. Ignore the talk, watch the leverage, and realize the script hasn't changed in 40 years.
Disclaimer: This document is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed in this document are not, and should not be taken as, investment advice or recommendations. Recipients should do their own due diligence, taking into account their specific financial circumstances, investment objectives and risk tolerance, which are not considered here, before investing. This document is not an offer, or the solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell any of the assets mentioned.