Donald Trump’s Long History of Ripping Off Small Businesses

Donald Trump claims to be a champion of forgotten Americans — the workers and small business owners who have been left behind in today’s economy. But the reality is that he’s made his fortune ripping off exactly the people he claims to want to protect.

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Donald Trump’s business abilities are wildly overrated. While he has never personally declared bankruptcy, a fact aided by the over $400 million he inherited from his father, his businesses have gone bankrupt six times. This includes multiple casino bankruptcies — a corporation you would think could make money no matter who was running it — from the Trump Taj Mahal in 1991, Trump Plaza and Trump Castle in 1992, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc. in 2004 and finally Trump Entertainment Resorts in 2009.

Despite these failures, Trump managed to walk away with millions, mainly by bilking workers, contractors and service providers. Hundreds of people have gone on record to discuss being ripped off by Donald Trump, a man who claims to care about them. One investigation found Trump has been involved in more than 3,500 lawsuits that allege he has not paid his bills, suits largely filed by everyday Americans and small businesses.

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The Edward J. Friel Company built cabinets for the Taj Majal in the 90s. After the project was completed, Trump refused to make the final payment. Friel tried to obtain the payment but was finally forced to declare bankruptcy several years later. Edward’s son Paul has spoken out on behalf of his father’s legacy. He thinks Americans should know what kind of businessman Trump really is.

“He was devastated. The fact that we had seen such a huge future in Atlantic City for his business that all of a sudden because of one deal … his business in Atlantic City was done,” Friel says.

The Taj Mahal was the most expensive casino ever built at the time, and it managed to operate for only two years before going under. Beth Rosser, who was involved in the project, told reporters, “It’s 27 years later. I grit my teeth every time I see him on television blustering about what a wonderful businessman he is. He stepped on a lot of people.”

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Donald Trump brought his scams to the White House, ripping of taxpayers by overcharging government officials at his own properties. According to the House Oversight Committee, “The exorbitant rates charged to the Secret Service and agents’ frequent stays at Trump-owned properties raise significant concerns about the former President’s self-dealing and may have resulted in a taxpayer-funded windfall for former President Trump’s struggling businesses.”

Donald Trump not only steals from taxpayers, he also steals from charities. In 2019, he was ordered to pay $2 million to eight charities whose donations were illegally used by the Trump Foundation for political purposes.

The contrast with Vice President Harris could not be more stark.

As Vice President, Kamala Harris helped create the Economic Opportunity Coalition. The Coalition is a public-private partnership that creates opportunities in underserved communities by investing billions of dollars in business development. As a Senator, she helped secure $12 billion for Community Development Financial Institutions. Kamala harris has walked the picket lines with workers. She has proposed expanding the child tax credit and provided more money for startups. She is working for an economy that gives opportunities to everyone.