The Best Quotes from Donald Trump

Love him or hate him, Donald Trump undoubtedly has a unique way with words. Trump’s controversial presidency and larger-than-life persona have produced countless memorable quotes over the years.

Let’s look back at some of Trump’s most famous, funny, insightful, and impactful sayings.

Introduction

Donald Trump first rose to fame as an outspoken businessman and real estate developer before transitioning into politics. Along the way, he gained a reputation for speaking bluntly without much filter.

During his 2016 presidential run and subsequent four years in office, Trump’s improvisational speaking style produced quotable phrases on a regular basis. Supporters found his brash words refreshing while critics accused him of dishonesty and indecency.

In this post, we’ll highlight some of Donald Trump’s most notable quotes and explore what makes them significant, for better or worse.

Quotes on Business and Success

Long before his political career, Trump was known for his bold approach to business, branding, and achieving success.

On Taking Risks

“You learn a lot from failures, but the best teacher is your last mistake.”

Early in his career, Trump had some failed business ventures he recovered from. This quote emphasizes the need to take risks and not fear failure.

On Negotiations

“I never get too attached to one deal or one approach. For starters, I keep a lot of balls in the air, because most deals fall out.”

A hallmark of Trump’s business deals was pursuing multiple opportunities simultaneously. This quote captures his flexible negotiating style.

On Thinking Big

“What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate.”

Trump frequently talks about being a “winner” and this quote ties it to never letting setbacks derail your ambitions.

On Using Leverage

“Leverage: don’t make deals without it.”

Trump believes maximizing leverage is key to winning negotiations and transactions. This succinct quote sums up his hard-nosed business philosophy.

Quotes from the 2016 Election

Trump’s campaign for president produced many soundbites and catchphrases that illuminated his appeal.

On Immigration

“I will build a great, great wall on our southern border. And I will have Mexico pay for that wall.”

Trump’s promises to build a border wall paid for by Mexico became a signature rallying cry at his campaign events.

On Manufacturing Jobs

“Because of the fact that our car industry has moved to Mexico and China, we’re gonna bring it back. We’re gonna make Michigan into a great state again.”

Trump targeted blue collar workers in the Rust Belt with promises to restore lost manufacturing jobs.

On the Political Establishment

“We will no longer surrender this country or its people to the false song of globalism.”

Trump capitalized on anti-globalization sentiment with quotes like this criticizing corrupt elites and putting America first.

On Hillary Clinton

“The only card she has is the woman’s card. She has nothing else going. And frankly, if Hillary Clinton were a man, I don’t think she would get 5% of the vote.”

Controversial attacks on Hillary Clinton like this generated outrage while also exciting Trump’s populist base.

Unconventional Governing Quotes

As president, Trump often departed from norms with attention-grabbing quotes.

On Kim Jong-un and North Korea

“I was really being tough – and so was he. And we would go back and forth. And then we fell in love, okay? No, really.”

Trump startled critics by expressing warmth towards the brutal North Korean dictator at odds with typical diplomatic language.

On the Press

“The press is doing everything within their power to fight the magnificence of the phrase, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Attacks on the media as “fake news” were defining parts of Trump’s messaging as president to undermine critical coverage.

On Protests and Dissent

“They’re allowed to get away with murder because we’ve become weak, we’ve become weak.”

Trump was criticized for this apparent encouragement of violence when addressing protests around George Floyd’s murder.

On Presidential Power

“I have an Article II, where I have the right to do whatever I want as president.”

Trump’s very broad interpretations of executive power included quotes like this that critics viewed as authoritarian.

Quotes on Life and Personal Philosophy

In interviews and books, Trump has put forth strong views on life, success, and human nature over time.

On Work Ethic

“Don’t ever, ever ring a bell, don’t believe you’ve closed a sale until you’ve got the money in your bank account.”

This quote captures Trump’s relentlessly driven approach to get the job done that he applies to both business and politics.

On Talent

“Everything in life is luck, there’s a randomness. A lot of smart people never get the chance to show how brilliant they are.”

Despite his competitive worldview, this quote reflects Trump’s belief that circumstance dictates success more than pure merit.

On Decision Making

“Go with your gut, no matter how good something sounds on paper.”

Trump trusts his instincts more than expert analysis. This quote provides insight into his tendency for improvisation.

On Human Nature

“The most basic duty of government is to defend the lives of its own citizens. Any government that fails to do so is a government unworthy to lead.”

Philosophically, Trump takes a Hobbesian view believing self-interest and conflict dominate human relations absent strong authority.

Conclusion

Love him or hate him, Donald Trump has undoubtedly left his mark through his words and rhetoric. His most famous quotes provide windows into his worldview, communication style, and political aspirations. Skilled at stirring reactions and commanding attention, Trump maximized his speaking opportunities. Regardless of ideology, the memorable phrasings and bold claims will secure Trump’s place in history as a singular political communicator of the digital information age.