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Golden Handcuffs: The Secret History of Trump's Women
New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist, Nina Burleigh, explores Donald Trump’s attitudes toward women by providing in-depth analysis and background on the women who have had the most profound influence on his life—the mother and grandmother who raised him, the wives who lived with him, and the daughter who is poised to inherit it all.
Has any president in the history of the United States had a more fraught relationship with women than Donald Trump? He flagrantly cheated on all three of his wives, brushed off multiple accusations of sexual assault, publicly ogled his eldest daughter, bought the silence of a porn star and a Playmate, and proclaimed his now-infamous seduction technique: “grab ’em by the pussy.”
Golden Handcuffs is a comprehensive and provocative account of the women who have been closest to Trump—his German-immigrant grandmother, Elizabeth, the uncredited founder of the Trump Organization; his Scottish-immigrant mother, Mary, who acquired a taste for wealth as a maid in the Andrew Carnegie mansion; his wives—Ivana, Marla, and Melania (the first and third of whom are immigrants); and his eldest daughter, Ivanka, groomed to take over the Trump brand from a young age. Also examined are Trump’s two older sisters, one of whom is a prominent federal judge; his often-overlooked younger daughter, Tiffany; his female employees; and those he calls “liars”—the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
Of these women, Burleigh writes, “where they come from and what they do now and in the future matters because they have or have had the ear of the most powerful man on earth.”
Has any president in the history of the United States had a more fraught relationship with women than Donald Trump? He flagrantly cheated on all three of his wives, brushed off multiple accusations of sexual assault, publicly ogled his eldest daughter, bought the silence of a porn star and a Playmate, and proclaimed his now-infamous seduction technique: “grab ’em by the pussy.”
Golden Handcuffs is a comprehensive and provocative account of the women who have been closest to Trump—his German-immigrant grandmother, Elizabeth, the uncredited founder of the Trump Organization; his Scottish-immigrant mother, Mary, who acquired a taste for wealth as a maid in the Andrew Carnegie mansion; his wives—Ivana, Marla, and Melania (the first and third of whom are immigrants); and his eldest daughter, Ivanka, groomed to take over the Trump brand from a young age. Also examined are Trump’s two older sisters, one of whom is a prominent federal judge; his often-overlooked younger daughter, Tiffany; his female employees; and those he calls “liars”—the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
Of these women, Burleigh writes, “where they come from and what they do now and in the future matters because they have or have had the ear of the most powerful man on earth.”
368 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2018
126 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Nina Burleigh
18 books57 followersNina is an award-winning author and journalist and documentary producer with wide-ranging interests including politics, history, conservation, exploration and science. She has written seven books and has been published in the New Yorker, Time, New York and People, among many other journals and rags. She publishes a national political substack called American Freakshow. She has occasionally shellacked her hair for television, including Good Morning America, Nightline, and various programs on CNN and C-Span, as well as flogged books on NPR and countless radio outlets.
The daughter of author and artist Robert Burleigh and Berta Burleigh, a teacher who emigrated to the USA from Iraq in the 1950s, Nina was born and educated in the Midwest, has traveled extensively in the Middle East and lived in Italy and France. She covered the Clinton White House for Time and reported and wrote human interest stories at People Magazine from New York. She is an adjunct professor at New York University and has lectured in Norway, Mexico, Italy and around the US..
Her first novel, Zero Visibility Possible, will be published in 2024, the first in a trilogy of dark satires about characters grappling with aspects of climate change, conspiracy theories and disinformation.
Her nonfiction books include The Trump Women: Part of the Deal, a lively study of the women in Trump's world; Unholy Business, a true tale of how modern science is being used to support the curious world of biblical relic trade and forgery; her book about Napoleon's scientists in Egypt, Mirage, was selected by the New York Times as an editors' choice and won the Society of Women Educators' Award in 2008.
The daughter of author and artist Robert Burleigh and Berta Burleigh, a teacher who emigrated to the USA from Iraq in the 1950s, Nina was born and educated in the Midwest, has traveled extensively in the Middle East and lived in Italy and France. She covered the Clinton White House for Time and reported and wrote human interest stories at People Magazine from New York. She is an adjunct professor at New York University and has lectured in Norway, Mexico, Italy and around the US..
Her first novel, Zero Visibility Possible, will be published in 2024, the first in a trilogy of dark satires about characters grappling with aspects of climate change, conspiracy theories and disinformation.
Her nonfiction books include The Trump Women: Part of the Deal, a lively study of the women in Trump's world; Unholy Business, a true tale of how modern science is being used to support the curious world of biblical relic trade and forgery; her book about Napoleon's scientists in Egypt, Mirage, was selected by the New York Times as an editors' choice and won the Society of Women Educators' Award in 2008.
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October 18, 2018
Nina Burleigh's new book, "Golden Handcuff's: The Secret History of Trump's Women", is a well-written look at the various women important to Donald Trump in his life. It is yet another view of Trump and gives the reader a chance to understand who has had influences on him.
From immigrant women - his German paternal grandmother and his Scottish mother - Donald Trump was shown an immigrant's zeal to succeed. Both came to the United States, worked hard - his grandmother began a construction firm in the outer-boroughs of New York which eventually became The Trump Organization - while his mother came from a poor Scottish village and took the chance to improve her life by working as a domestic in a wealthy New York City home. She met and married Fred Trump, the son of Elizabeth Trump, and eventually they produced a family of five .Two other immigrants to the United States - his first and third wives - came here from Eastern European countries, bringing the same steely determination to succeed as his mother and grandmother. Burleigh also includes his daughter, Ivanka, and his second wife, Marla Maples in the book, along with some peripheral figures. But it's Ivana and Melania Trump who figure big in Nina Burleigh's book.
Nina Burleigh has written a very even, non-exploitive book. I honestly couldn't be certain of her political leanings, though I suspect she's not pro-Trump. So many books these days are wild-eyed and brimming over with anti-Trump sentiment that it was a pleasure to read something so anti-inflammatory. (I'm already inflamed, so I try to keep any more "inflammation" down to manageable levels!)
From immigrant women - his German paternal grandmother and his Scottish mother - Donald Trump was shown an immigrant's zeal to succeed. Both came to the United States, worked hard - his grandmother began a construction firm in the outer-boroughs of New York which eventually became The Trump Organization - while his mother came from a poor Scottish village and took the chance to improve her life by working as a domestic in a wealthy New York City home. She met and married Fred Trump, the son of Elizabeth Trump, and eventually they produced a family of five .Two other immigrants to the United States - his first and third wives - came here from Eastern European countries, bringing the same steely determination to succeed as his mother and grandmother. Burleigh also includes his daughter, Ivanka, and his second wife, Marla Maples in the book, along with some peripheral figures. But it's Ivana and Melania Trump who figure big in Nina Burleigh's book.
Nina Burleigh has written a very even, non-exploitive book. I honestly couldn't be certain of her political leanings, though I suspect she's not pro-Trump. So many books these days are wild-eyed and brimming over with anti-Trump sentiment that it was a pleasure to read something so anti-inflammatory. (I'm already inflamed, so I try to keep any more "inflammation" down to manageable levels!)
February 25, 2019
Nina Burleigh states in the Acknowledgements of her new book, GOLDEN HANDCUFFS: THE SECRET HISTORY OF TRUMP’S WOMEN that the idea for her new book derived from a Newsweek cover entitled, “The Queens of Trumplandia” shortly after Trump’s inauguration. The book itself has several interesting tidbits about Trump’s three wives, daughter, Ivanka, his grandmother and mother, but it does not rise to the level of a complete volume, when an in-depth magazine article would have been enough.
Burleigh draws several interesting conclusions as it pertains to each of the women and the first part of the book dealing with Trump’s childhood and adolescent years provides a few important insights into the president, but again it could have been covered in a magazine article. Perhaps one of the most insightful comments occurs early on as Burleigh quotes historian, Todd Gitlin who states, “Trump represents the other side of the ‘60s. He’s not operating in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., God knows – he’s operating in the spirit of Hugh Hefner. That’s his 60s: the liberated guy fucking around at will, grabbing women. He’s living the Playboy philosophy as Heffner articulated it.” His approach to women is clear-cut, they must surrender their power in measures of dignity in order to enhance his. As he once said, “It really doesn’t matter what they write [about you] as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass.”
For Trump, women had to conform to his brand. Further, for each woman, everything was for sale, especially their “look.” By middle age Trump had become the arbiter of female beauty as he purchased several beauty pageants. It is also interesting to note that all his women (if one excepts that southern Georgia was not conducive to overall American culture) were immigrants considering his own immigration policies as president. In fact, Melania would not be allowed into the United States today if her husbands proposals had become law.
In imparting her narrative, Burleigh never misses an opportunity to relate something from Trump’s earlier biography to that of current obstruction, corruption, or just plain nastiness on his part. Despite the sarcasm that abounds Burleigh does have something meaningful to impart. Trump’s maternal grandmother Elizabeth Ann Christ who immigrated from a German village is given little credit for beginning the Trump family wealth accumulation. Burleigh argues that the 49-year-old widow with three children was able to parlay her husbands bank account into a small, but successful real estate enterprise in Queens, NY. Trump gives all the credit to his father, Fred who he claims was a real estate genius at 14, and grandma just wrote the checks.
The key figure in Trump’s childhood was his father. His mother Mary Anne MacLoad a Scottish immigrant accepted the patriarchal family where daddy was feared. For Trump no woman could measure up to his mother which becomes a problem with women throughout his life. The part of the book I was looking forward to the most was Trump’s childhood as I will be teaching a Psychohistory course next month and I will be analyzing the “Donald,” but after reading the book I feel somewhat disappointed.
Trump as a child was a hellion from the time, he was a toddler. His primal scream may have occurred when he was two years old as his mother suffered a hemorrhage, hysterectomy, and peritonitis with the birth of her fifth and last child. Trump’s mother had cared for him very affectionately until that time and it was a blow to a boy who was in the midst of the “terrible twos.” Mary was exhausted during her recovery and never rebonded with Donald who “became an aggressive, impulsive, and sometimes downright sadistic little boy.” Trump would lash out at teachers, Doctors, schoolmates, etc. and grew proud of his own belligerency. Today he would be diagnosed with ADHD highlighted by “inattentiveness, impulsivity and hypersensitivity” who refused to read which sounds like a daily occurrence at the White House! One wonders if his son Barron has inherited some of his father’s learning issues. Trump, undiagnosed suffered from these learning disabilities which we are all paying for.
Donald’s development was markedly affected by his father. Fred Trump whose treatment of women fixed his son’s attitudes towards females for life. Burleigh argues that he was a philanderer who viewed women through two lenses – what they could do for him in private, and how they might be employed as props to advance his career and sell his properties. Donald’s adulthood suggests a boy forever marked by a rigid, demanding, pathologically fastidious, and possibly physically abusive father – sound familiar? The book unearths stark details of the forces that shaped Mr. Trump’s thinking about women — Mr. Trump’s father, went as far as forbidding the word “pregnant” from being uttered in a household that would grow to five children and explains Donald’s aversion to certain biological aspects of being a woman.
Perhaps his most interesting wife was Ivana who was a Czech immigrant who would become a mogul in her own right. She became competition for the limelight that Trump could never share. Burleigh points out that Trump loved to play Pygmalion which worked out well with Ivana for several years, but once she developed her own separate and successful brand she had to go. In addition, as she grew older and had her facial and body alterations, she no longer fit Trump’s image of what his spouse should be. Burleigh as he does with all the wives ply’s the myths and accepted facts pertaining to the marriages. But what is clear that if Trump could not mold his women into what he needed, like Marla Maples, his second wife then they could no longer stay married. As far as wife number three is concerned, Melania, is a stunning woman who could not measure up to the modeling world that was the source for Trump’s women. She evolved into the perfect spouse as she seems to be content as she does not give any indication that she wants to bask in the limelight as her predecessors.
Burleigh summarizes the relationship with all his wives very effectively, “Unlike Marla, who demanded Trump make an all-encompassing spiritual commitment to her, and a spiritual commitment to doing good works, and unlike Ivana, who morphed into a female version of Donald, Melania purred with contentment, was happy to stay indoors, and as she would say in many future interviews, she had no interest in changing Donald.” As one of Melania’s friends has stated “I think she needed a strong man, a father figure.”
The section of the book that is most disconcerting apart from Trump’s misogyny deals with first-daughter Ivanka. Burleigh deals with the most important aspects of their relationship and perhaps the unconscious sexual dreams Trump has about his daughter. What is clear is that she is a more refined version of her father with her own agenda. Her disingenuous approach to issues and claims of being a supporter of liberal causes may ruffle her father’s base, but it appears it is to be part of her own political agenda in the future. Trump raised her to be a combination of his own brand of woman, the future head of the Trump Organization, and possibly a political force for the future.
In summation if you are to be a Trump woman, be it a wife, mother, or daughter you must conform to the look – stiletto heels, have the characteristics of a model wearing the right clothing and jewelry, and have the visage of how you view and carry yourself as always showcasing the brand.
To her credit, Burleigh has sifted through decades of publicly available materials — including Mr. Trump’s own words in memoirs and interviews — to animate the central point of the book: that “Mr. Trump has long believed women, particularly if they are not able to be molded to his liking, are not to be trusted.” (New York Times, October19, 2018) If you are interested in detail about Trump’s relationship with women this book may be for you. However, it doesn’t really say much that has not been said before, though Burleigh corroborates a great deal of what has been in print and interviews. If you are interested in a more sophisticated approach to the material, and I might be a bit facetious when I say material, I would pursue some of the other “Trump” books.
Burleigh draws several interesting conclusions as it pertains to each of the women and the first part of the book dealing with Trump’s childhood and adolescent years provides a few important insights into the president, but again it could have been covered in a magazine article. Perhaps one of the most insightful comments occurs early on as Burleigh quotes historian, Todd Gitlin who states, “Trump represents the other side of the ‘60s. He’s not operating in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., God knows – he’s operating in the spirit of Hugh Hefner. That’s his 60s: the liberated guy fucking around at will, grabbing women. He’s living the Playboy philosophy as Heffner articulated it.” His approach to women is clear-cut, they must surrender their power in measures of dignity in order to enhance his. As he once said, “It really doesn’t matter what they write [about you] as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass.”
For Trump, women had to conform to his brand. Further, for each woman, everything was for sale, especially their “look.” By middle age Trump had become the arbiter of female beauty as he purchased several beauty pageants. It is also interesting to note that all his women (if one excepts that southern Georgia was not conducive to overall American culture) were immigrants considering his own immigration policies as president. In fact, Melania would not be allowed into the United States today if her husbands proposals had become law.
In imparting her narrative, Burleigh never misses an opportunity to relate something from Trump’s earlier biography to that of current obstruction, corruption, or just plain nastiness on his part. Despite the sarcasm that abounds Burleigh does have something meaningful to impart. Trump’s maternal grandmother Elizabeth Ann Christ who immigrated from a German village is given little credit for beginning the Trump family wealth accumulation. Burleigh argues that the 49-year-old widow with three children was able to parlay her husbands bank account into a small, but successful real estate enterprise in Queens, NY. Trump gives all the credit to his father, Fred who he claims was a real estate genius at 14, and grandma just wrote the checks.
The key figure in Trump’s childhood was his father. His mother Mary Anne MacLoad a Scottish immigrant accepted the patriarchal family where daddy was feared. For Trump no woman could measure up to his mother which becomes a problem with women throughout his life. The part of the book I was looking forward to the most was Trump’s childhood as I will be teaching a Psychohistory course next month and I will be analyzing the “Donald,” but after reading the book I feel somewhat disappointed.
Trump as a child was a hellion from the time, he was a toddler. His primal scream may have occurred when he was two years old as his mother suffered a hemorrhage, hysterectomy, and peritonitis with the birth of her fifth and last child. Trump’s mother had cared for him very affectionately until that time and it was a blow to a boy who was in the midst of the “terrible twos.” Mary was exhausted during her recovery and never rebonded with Donald who “became an aggressive, impulsive, and sometimes downright sadistic little boy.” Trump would lash out at teachers, Doctors, schoolmates, etc. and grew proud of his own belligerency. Today he would be diagnosed with ADHD highlighted by “inattentiveness, impulsivity and hypersensitivity” who refused to read which sounds like a daily occurrence at the White House! One wonders if his son Barron has inherited some of his father’s learning issues. Trump, undiagnosed suffered from these learning disabilities which we are all paying for.
Donald’s development was markedly affected by his father. Fred Trump whose treatment of women fixed his son’s attitudes towards females for life. Burleigh argues that he was a philanderer who viewed women through two lenses – what they could do for him in private, and how they might be employed as props to advance his career and sell his properties. Donald’s adulthood suggests a boy forever marked by a rigid, demanding, pathologically fastidious, and possibly physically abusive father – sound familiar? The book unearths stark details of the forces that shaped Mr. Trump’s thinking about women — Mr. Trump’s father, went as far as forbidding the word “pregnant” from being uttered in a household that would grow to five children and explains Donald’s aversion to certain biological aspects of being a woman.
Perhaps his most interesting wife was Ivana who was a Czech immigrant who would become a mogul in her own right. She became competition for the limelight that Trump could never share. Burleigh points out that Trump loved to play Pygmalion which worked out well with Ivana for several years, but once she developed her own separate and successful brand she had to go. In addition, as she grew older and had her facial and body alterations, she no longer fit Trump’s image of what his spouse should be. Burleigh as he does with all the wives ply’s the myths and accepted facts pertaining to the marriages. But what is clear that if Trump could not mold his women into what he needed, like Marla Maples, his second wife then they could no longer stay married. As far as wife number three is concerned, Melania, is a stunning woman who could not measure up to the modeling world that was the source for Trump’s women. She evolved into the perfect spouse as she seems to be content as she does not give any indication that she wants to bask in the limelight as her predecessors.
Burleigh summarizes the relationship with all his wives very effectively, “Unlike Marla, who demanded Trump make an all-encompassing spiritual commitment to her, and a spiritual commitment to doing good works, and unlike Ivana, who morphed into a female version of Donald, Melania purred with contentment, was happy to stay indoors, and as she would say in many future interviews, she had no interest in changing Donald.” As one of Melania’s friends has stated “I think she needed a strong man, a father figure.”
The section of the book that is most disconcerting apart from Trump’s misogyny deals with first-daughter Ivanka. Burleigh deals with the most important aspects of their relationship and perhaps the unconscious sexual dreams Trump has about his daughter. What is clear is that she is a more refined version of her father with her own agenda. Her disingenuous approach to issues and claims of being a supporter of liberal causes may ruffle her father’s base, but it appears it is to be part of her own political agenda in the future. Trump raised her to be a combination of his own brand of woman, the future head of the Trump Organization, and possibly a political force for the future.
In summation if you are to be a Trump woman, be it a wife, mother, or daughter you must conform to the look – stiletto heels, have the characteristics of a model wearing the right clothing and jewelry, and have the visage of how you view and carry yourself as always showcasing the brand.
To her credit, Burleigh has sifted through decades of publicly available materials — including Mr. Trump’s own words in memoirs and interviews — to animate the central point of the book: that “Mr. Trump has long believed women, particularly if they are not able to be molded to his liking, are not to be trusted.” (New York Times, October19, 2018) If you are interested in detail about Trump’s relationship with women this book may be for you. However, it doesn’t really say much that has not been said before, though Burleigh corroborates a great deal of what has been in print and interviews. If you are interested in a more sophisticated approach to the material, and I might be a bit facetious when I say material, I would pursue some of the other “Trump” books.
May 16, 2024
******SPOILERS*******
I ask myself these questions when I read a bio or an
exploration of someone's life. Is the author biased?
What was the source of the information? At times
this book seemed a serious study & at others more
like a tabloid, especially toward the end. 3 stars.
The most influential woman in Donald Trump's
(hereafter DJT) life, per the author, included---
Elisabeth Ann Christ Trump DJT's German grandma.
Mary MacLeod Trump his Scottish mother.
Ivana, Marla & Melania his 3 wifes and Ivanka his
daughter.
Elisabeth wed Friedrich Trump who changed his name to
Frederick. Fredrick had various jobs: saloon owner, tinker
(repaired or sold pots/ pans), real estate. Elisabeth believed
in Aryan race superiority. These 2 were denied their wish to
permanently re-locate to Germany from the US, b/c he'd
been a draft dodger. He thereafter claimed Swedish ancestry
(untrue). Once widowed, in 1918, she used his nest egg of
$31K, to start the Trump dynasty as "E. Trump and Son" in
1927. Her real estate approach was borrow, build, borrow.
Yrs later her son Fred would add "buy" to this list. Fred was
arrested in May 1927 at a KKK rally in Queens & later
released. Many considered the father Frederick a "hard
drinker."
Mary wed Frederick Christ Trump, who preferred Fred. He
downplayed his mother's business acumen & success in their
co. He later claimed she only signed the paychecks. He'd
been part of the co. since age 15. Mary started out in the US
as a maid to Andrew Carnegie's widow. Mary craved luxury
but she had a parcimonious spouse Fred. They eventually
lived in a 23 BR home. He was charged with "red-lining"
black families out of apt buildings he built. Attorney Roy
Cohn (later DJT's mentor) made the charges go away.
The author described Donald as a "difficult" child. By his
own admission, he gave his 2nd grade teacher a black eye.
Don went away to a military school (for troubled youth)
after the discovery of his switchblade collection. The author
theorized DJT had undiagnosed ADHD b/c of his impulsivity
& lack of concentration (reading). Fred and Donald were
both germophobic.
DJT down-played and felt threatened (?) by Ivana's business
success with the casino and hotel? She had Czech heritage
& spoke fluid Russion. These 2 explored business options,
while in Russia 4x, starting w/ Moscow in 1987.
Melania came to the US on a H1B visa, later had a "Genius
visa" reserved for outstanding scientists and artists. Later
she used "chain migration" to get her parents and sister
into the US. All according to the author. All 3 of these
immigration methods Donald later scorned as POTUS. The
author disputed Melania knowing 5-6 languages, & said
instead Melania learned basic words to communicate while
a model in Milan and Paris. At one pt Melania claimed to be
Austrian!
Ivanka was considered the future of the Trump dynasty &
DJT's most trusted offspring. The author seemed certain
(her proof?) that Ivanka was well aware of times the
Trump co. skirted ethics and the law (or engaged in illegal
activity).
The author believed DJT used his wives & daughters as an
extension of the Trump brand. Marla fought this perfect
woman expectation: she preferred casual clothes &footwear.
Reportedly Ivana & Ivanka (as a teen) had breast implants
to be more attractive/ valued.
I ask myself these questions when I read a bio or an
exploration of someone's life. Is the author biased?
What was the source of the information? At times
this book seemed a serious study & at others more
like a tabloid, especially toward the end. 3 stars.
The most influential woman in Donald Trump's
(hereafter DJT) life, per the author, included---
Elisabeth Ann Christ Trump DJT's German grandma.
Mary MacLeod Trump his Scottish mother.
Ivana, Marla & Melania his 3 wifes and Ivanka his
daughter.
Elisabeth wed Friedrich Trump who changed his name to
Frederick. Fredrick had various jobs: saloon owner, tinker
(repaired or sold pots/ pans), real estate. Elisabeth believed
in Aryan race superiority. These 2 were denied their wish to
permanently re-locate to Germany from the US, b/c he'd
been a draft dodger. He thereafter claimed Swedish ancestry
(untrue). Once widowed, in 1918, she used his nest egg of
$31K, to start the Trump dynasty as "E. Trump and Son" in
1927. Her real estate approach was borrow, build, borrow.
Yrs later her son Fred would add "buy" to this list. Fred was
arrested in May 1927 at a KKK rally in Queens & later
released. Many considered the father Frederick a "hard
drinker."
Mary wed Frederick Christ Trump, who preferred Fred. He
downplayed his mother's business acumen & success in their
co. He later claimed she only signed the paychecks. He'd
been part of the co. since age 15. Mary started out in the US
as a maid to Andrew Carnegie's widow. Mary craved luxury
but she had a parcimonious spouse Fred. They eventually
lived in a 23 BR home. He was charged with "red-lining"
black families out of apt buildings he built. Attorney Roy
Cohn (later DJT's mentor) made the charges go away.
The author described Donald as a "difficult" child. By his
own admission, he gave his 2nd grade teacher a black eye.
Don went away to a military school (for troubled youth)
after the discovery of his switchblade collection. The author
theorized DJT had undiagnosed ADHD b/c of his impulsivity
& lack of concentration (reading). Fred and Donald were
both germophobic.
DJT down-played and felt threatened (?) by Ivana's business
success with the casino and hotel? She had Czech heritage
& spoke fluid Russion. These 2 explored business options,
while in Russia 4x, starting w/ Moscow in 1987.
Melania came to the US on a H1B visa, later had a "Genius
visa" reserved for outstanding scientists and artists. Later
she used "chain migration" to get her parents and sister
into the US. All according to the author. All 3 of these
immigration methods Donald later scorned as POTUS. The
author disputed Melania knowing 5-6 languages, & said
instead Melania learned basic words to communicate while
a model in Milan and Paris. At one pt Melania claimed to be
Austrian!
Ivanka was considered the future of the Trump dynasty &
DJT's most trusted offspring. The author seemed certain
(her proof?) that Ivanka was well aware of times the
Trump co. skirted ethics and the law (or engaged in illegal
activity).
The author believed DJT used his wives & daughters as an
extension of the Trump brand. Marla fought this perfect
woman expectation: she preferred casual clothes &footwear.
Reportedly Ivana & Ivanka (as a teen) had breast implants
to be more attractive/ valued.
October 21, 2018
Fast & Fun .....Interesting look at trump and his playthings!! I'm still in shock about 2016!!!! But read this book it will open your eyes. Please God help us.
Fast & Fun ....Interesting look into Trumps life . Nina Burleigh did a fantastic job. Will read more of her books!!
Fast & Fun ....Interesting look into Trumps life . Nina Burleigh did a fantastic job. Will read more of her books!!
March 12, 2019
This book was a guilty pleasure. It didn't add a great deal to what we already know about these women, but I enjoyed it in the same way that I enjoy People magazine when I am waiting for the doctor to see me. It was a good distraction. :)
February 28, 2019
Interesting, but too heavy on speculation for my taste.
October 26, 2019
This book was supposed to be full of juicy, salacious detail about Donald Trump and the many women in his life. However, what promised to be full of gossipy tidbits about His Orangeness, ultimately became a rather sad and depressing account about the lives of girls and women --- and about the lengths some women will go to for reflected glory, fame and money. As for the wives, Ivana comes across as someone with spirit and fire. Her tragedy is that she got old and after her divorce,wasted her money and her time chasing unreliable Italian toyboys and unfortunately marrying them. Her glory days at the home shopping channel over, she has been forced to unload some of her properties and now resides in splendid isolation in NYC and the south of France. Marka Maples, who apparently received only a few mill from Trump lives a hippie/new age existence in California and has never been able to rise above her scandalous past. Melania remains a forlorn enigma and Ivanka, for all her brains and beauty, is supposedly a lady in waiting who hopes the public will see beyond her father's outrageous, and some might say criminal, behaviour,so that she can present herself as a viable presidential candidate in 2024. The only women who come across with integrity are the Donald's sisters who basically try to avoid all encounters with the public and the press and who are both intelligent and well-educated women. Trump's mother had a very difficult life with her philandering husband and never really recovered from the harrowing birth of her youngest son in the late 40's. Honestly I really felt I want a long shower and a cathartic few drinks after finishing this. Sad sad sad. And by the way I am not blaming the women--just describing the general seediness of it all.
May 21, 2019
Subtitled 'The Secret History of Trump's Women' this book invited anger from the right who fixated on such important issues as whether or not Melania actually finished her architectural degree. I think that was besides the point as what Burleigh manages to do here is portray women who have often lived difficult lives in the spotlight married or related to one of the biggest characters of the modern age, with dignity and humanity.
Starting with the formidable Elizabeth, Donald's grandmother who may have been the actual founder of the Trump organisation, Burleigh shows how the Trump family have often revised history to portray themselves in a different light; decreasing the contribution of Elizabeth and claiming to be Swedish rather than German. For someone so fixated on immigrants, Trump ignores that his grandparents were immigrants, his mother emigrated from Scotland (to work in Andrew Carnegie's house no less) and he has married women who have immigrated.
I was particularly taken with Ivana's story, she seems to have had one of the most difficult lives losing men who meant a great deal to her and suffering from alleged domestic violence from Donald yet still proving to be a great business woman and an icon of the eighties. Trump obviously has problems with staying faithful and has a phobia of menstruation and of pregnancy. He expects women to stay young and beautiful and to provide his dynasty yet never appear in the pregnant state. Women who call him out on sexual harassment are 'liars' and he has enjoyed sleeping with multiple women As an independent business woman, Burleigh certainly implies that he felt threatened by her acumen.
The tales of Ivana and of his other wives are of women who have been silenced by Trump's lawyers who have threatened them if they talk. The beginning passage of Burleigh meeting at a restaurant with an informant who seems terrified of getting caught was particularly vivid. Burleigh also explores the fears that people have that Melania is unhappy in her marriage, it sounds as if she is particularly unsuited to being married to a public figure and does not always know how to behave. There are also the stories of his sisters and of his daughter Tiffany
Although these women have mostly been silenced, Ivanka is a woman who can't be silenced. She often lives on her own terms and seems to be able to stand up to her father at times, and has recovered from setbacks when they have arisen.
I found this audiobook absolutely fascinating and very well narrated. Burleigh has obviously put a lot of research into it.
Starting with the formidable Elizabeth, Donald's grandmother who may have been the actual founder of the Trump organisation, Burleigh shows how the Trump family have often revised history to portray themselves in a different light; decreasing the contribution of Elizabeth and claiming to be Swedish rather than German. For someone so fixated on immigrants, Trump ignores that his grandparents were immigrants, his mother emigrated from Scotland (to work in Andrew Carnegie's house no less) and he has married women who have immigrated.
I was particularly taken with Ivana's story, she seems to have had one of the most difficult lives losing men who meant a great deal to her and suffering from alleged domestic violence from Donald yet still proving to be a great business woman and an icon of the eighties. Trump obviously has problems with staying faithful and has a phobia of menstruation and of pregnancy. He expects women to stay young and beautiful and to provide his dynasty yet never appear in the pregnant state. Women who call him out on sexual harassment are 'liars' and he has enjoyed sleeping with multiple women As an independent business woman, Burleigh certainly implies that he felt threatened by her acumen.
The tales of Ivana and of his other wives are of women who have been silenced by Trump's lawyers who have threatened them if they talk. The beginning passage of Burleigh meeting at a restaurant with an informant who seems terrified of getting caught was particularly vivid. Burleigh also explores the fears that people have that Melania is unhappy in her marriage, it sounds as if she is particularly unsuited to being married to a public figure and does not always know how to behave. There are also the stories of his sisters and of his daughter Tiffany
Although these women have mostly been silenced, Ivanka is a woman who can't be silenced. She often lives on her own terms and seems to be able to stand up to her father at times, and has recovered from setbacks when they have arisen.
I found this audiobook absolutely fascinating and very well narrated. Burleigh has obviously put a lot of research into it.
December 30, 2020
When this book first appeared, I passed over it as too gossipy for my tastes. But after hearing an interview with the author on a favorite podcast, I was intrigued to learn / think more about how the Trump women are potentially influencing ideas about femininity and women's roles in American culture.
I wouldn't say that anything "secretive" is revealed, as much of the information is taken from previously published interviews, autobiographies, etc. about the family.
Overall, it was enjoyable and informative, though I wish it had been written more objectively to appeal to a wider audience.
I wouldn't say that anything "secretive" is revealed, as much of the information is taken from previously published interviews, autobiographies, etc. about the family.
Overall, it was enjoyable and informative, though I wish it had been written more objectively to appeal to a wider audience.
May 7, 2019
"Bogacze różnią się od ludzi takich jak ty i ja, ale Donald Trump różni się od przeciętnego bogacza. Jego życie emocjonalne można opisać jako szereg transakcji, a jego namiętności biorą się raczej z pragnienia zemsty i aprobaty aniżeli z miłości. Ma wiele zabawek, lecz wydaje się nie czerpać osobistej satysfakcji z posiadania swoich łodzi, prywatnych samolotów i eleganckich apartamentów. Przedmioty są dla niego po prostu dekoracjami pomagającymi w prowadzeniu biznesu. W podobny sposób traktuje kobiety."
Brzmi szokująco? Witajcie w Trumplandii – świecie, w którym Donald Trump jawnie zdradzał swoje żony, a „łapanie za cipki” uważa za sztukę uwodzenia. Gdyby nie fakt, że jest ojcem Ivanki, to chętnie umówiłby się z nią na randkę. Jaki jest naprawdę prezydent Stanów Zjednoczonych? Dlaczego właśnie w taki sposób traktuje kobiety? Odpowiedź znajdziemy w książce Niny Burleigh „Kobiety Donalda Trumpa”.
Jak tylko mogę — unikam polityki. Dlaczego zatem zdecydowałam się na przeczytanie tej książki, w której dziennikarka postanowiła zagłębić się w życiorys prezydenta 45. Stanów Zjednoczonych? Wygrała przede wszystkim ciekawość. Możliwość poznania najbardziej skrywanych tajemnic Donalda Trumpa, jego życia a przede wszystkim sposobu, w jaki traktuje najważniejsze mu kobiety, wydała mi się niezwykle intrygująca. Jako że nie śledziłam nigdy jego kariery (zanim został prezydentem) nie zdawałam sobie sprawy z iloma kobietami był wcześniej związany poprzez związek małżeński. Dzięki tej książce nadrobiłam braki!
Nina Burleigh przybliża czytelnikowi najbliższe kobiety z jego otoczenia – zaczynając od babci Elizabeth, przyjrzymy się też relacji z matką Mary oraz trzema żonami – Ivanie, Marli oraz Melanii. Autorka opowie także o najstarszej córce Ivance, która tak jak i ojciec ma smykałkę do interesów. Ale dlaczego tak bardzo pomija się córkę Tiffany? Odpowiedź znajdziecie w książce. Autorka bardzo dokładnie zanalizowała podejście prezydenta do płci przeciwnej i w bardzo ciekawy sposób opisała losy każdej z tych kobiet. Każda z nich stworzyła swoją markę i choć są one warte miliony, to przypłacone to zostało życiem w złotej klatce i wcale nie było idealne.
Czy wiecie, że Donald był kształtowany przez kobiety – emigrantki? To bardzo ciekawe, zwłaszcza że prezydent jest osobą nietolerancyjną i wrogo nastawioną do emigrantów. Czy takie nastawienie Donald wyniósł z własnego domu? Ogromny wpływ na kształtowanie prezydenta miał jego ojciec. Donald, który zgwałcił swoją żonę, chce przede wszystkim „wyszkolić” swoje kobiety i przygotować je do życia w świecie show-biznesu. Ich prezencja odegra bardzo ważną rolę w prezentowaniu samego Donalda.
Szokująca – tak jednym słowem można podsumować książkę „Kobiety Donalda Trumpa”. Książkę, mimo że jest pełna kontrowersyjnej treści, czyta się bardzo przyjemnie i lekko. To ciekawa lektura pomoże nam zrozumieć historię samego prezydenta i jego rodziny. Autorka stara się nie szokować czytelnika, lecz dzięki dobremu reaserchowi za pośrednictwem ogolnodostępnych źródeł chce pokazać po prostu prawdę. Bo czy taka osoba, która nie cieszy się dobrą opinią, na pewno powinna być głową państwa? Na to pytanie odpowiedzieć musicie już sobie sami.
Brzmi szokująco? Witajcie w Trumplandii – świecie, w którym Donald Trump jawnie zdradzał swoje żony, a „łapanie za cipki” uważa za sztukę uwodzenia. Gdyby nie fakt, że jest ojcem Ivanki, to chętnie umówiłby się z nią na randkę. Jaki jest naprawdę prezydent Stanów Zjednoczonych? Dlaczego właśnie w taki sposób traktuje kobiety? Odpowiedź znajdziemy w książce Niny Burleigh „Kobiety Donalda Trumpa”.
Jak tylko mogę — unikam polityki. Dlaczego zatem zdecydowałam się na przeczytanie tej książki, w której dziennikarka postanowiła zagłębić się w życiorys prezydenta 45. Stanów Zjednoczonych? Wygrała przede wszystkim ciekawość. Możliwość poznania najbardziej skrywanych tajemnic Donalda Trumpa, jego życia a przede wszystkim sposobu, w jaki traktuje najważniejsze mu kobiety, wydała mi się niezwykle intrygująca. Jako że nie śledziłam nigdy jego kariery (zanim został prezydentem) nie zdawałam sobie sprawy z iloma kobietami był wcześniej związany poprzez związek małżeński. Dzięki tej książce nadrobiłam braki!
Nina Burleigh przybliża czytelnikowi najbliższe kobiety z jego otoczenia – zaczynając od babci Elizabeth, przyjrzymy się też relacji z matką Mary oraz trzema żonami – Ivanie, Marli oraz Melanii. Autorka opowie także o najstarszej córce Ivance, która tak jak i ojciec ma smykałkę do interesów. Ale dlaczego tak bardzo pomija się córkę Tiffany? Odpowiedź znajdziecie w książce. Autorka bardzo dokładnie zanalizowała podejście prezydenta do płci przeciwnej i w bardzo ciekawy sposób opisała losy każdej z tych kobiet. Każda z nich stworzyła swoją markę i choć są one warte miliony, to przypłacone to zostało życiem w złotej klatce i wcale nie było idealne.
Czy wiecie, że Donald był kształtowany przez kobiety – emigrantki? To bardzo ciekawe, zwłaszcza że prezydent jest osobą nietolerancyjną i wrogo nastawioną do emigrantów. Czy takie nastawienie Donald wyniósł z własnego domu? Ogromny wpływ na kształtowanie prezydenta miał jego ojciec. Donald, który zgwałcił swoją żonę, chce przede wszystkim „wyszkolić” swoje kobiety i przygotować je do życia w świecie show-biznesu. Ich prezencja odegra bardzo ważną rolę w prezentowaniu samego Donalda.
Szokująca – tak jednym słowem można podsumować książkę „Kobiety Donalda Trumpa”. Książkę, mimo że jest pełna kontrowersyjnej treści, czyta się bardzo przyjemnie i lekko. To ciekawa lektura pomoże nam zrozumieć historię samego prezydenta i jego rodziny. Autorka stara się nie szokować czytelnika, lecz dzięki dobremu reaserchowi za pośrednictwem ogolnodostępnych źródeł chce pokazać po prostu prawdę. Bo czy taka osoba, która nie cieszy się dobrą opinią, na pewno powinna być głową państwa? Na to pytanie odpowiedzieć musicie już sobie sami.
July 29, 2021
Right then. Trump and women, HERE WE GO.
This is certainly a really interesting read and certainly like no other Trump book out there. To publishing, Trump is now like the Second World War and the Nazis at this point, surely? In that, there are so many books out there about this subject now, what's your angle? We know you want to write about Hitler, but what new information/sexy angle have you got?
Well Nina Burleigh doesn't disappoint on that point. GOLDEN HANDCUFFS is a warts-and-all dissection of the four main principal characters (three wives and a daughter) but also pretty much everyone ever in his orbit. From family to sexual abuse accusers.
The author attempts to get to the bottom of the... erm... let's call it... abhorrence. The approach he has in his psyche about the opposite sex in general, but also towards each important individual in his life of the female persuasion. But she doesn't quite get to the bottom of it. But then, I don't think anyone ever will.
The abhorrence isn't just about women though. He's pretty much been a PRICK to everyone in his life that doesn't serve him beneficially in some way. And even then, he has probably turned on them too, at some point. In the end, its all about money, power and influence and what you can get away and who you can silence when you have money. Fortunately for Donald, most of the women in his life really like money. That's all there is too it really.
He isn't packed with charisma or a massive trouser snake. He just has money and lots of it to not tell the world all of his secrets.
Most recent wife Melania is a fascinating study. In that, not only has she had the longevity (so far) but it's like she was created in some sort of TRUMP ULTIMATE DICK MOVE CREATE A WIFE MACHINE. I mean, was one of the courses at Trump University called, 'How to be subservient to me and shut the fuck up 101'?
There's a lot of great back story to the wives that you don't get in many Trumpian tomes and the author really does try and give us some sort of insight as to why he is like this, especially when it comes to the subject's upbringing and his relationship with his parents.
It's a great read.
This is certainly a really interesting read and certainly like no other Trump book out there. To publishing, Trump is now like the Second World War and the Nazis at this point, surely? In that, there are so many books out there about this subject now, what's your angle? We know you want to write about Hitler, but what new information/sexy angle have you got?
Well Nina Burleigh doesn't disappoint on that point. GOLDEN HANDCUFFS is a warts-and-all dissection of the four main principal characters (three wives and a daughter) but also pretty much everyone ever in his orbit. From family to sexual abuse accusers.
The author attempts to get to the bottom of the... erm... let's call it... abhorrence. The approach he has in his psyche about the opposite sex in general, but also towards each important individual in his life of the female persuasion. But she doesn't quite get to the bottom of it. But then, I don't think anyone ever will.
The abhorrence isn't just about women though. He's pretty much been a PRICK to everyone in his life that doesn't serve him beneficially in some way. And even then, he has probably turned on them too, at some point. In the end, its all about money, power and influence and what you can get away and who you can silence when you have money. Fortunately for Donald, most of the women in his life really like money. That's all there is too it really.
He isn't packed with charisma or a massive trouser snake. He just has money and lots of it to not tell the world all of his secrets.
Most recent wife Melania is a fascinating study. In that, not only has she had the longevity (so far) but it's like she was created in some sort of TRUMP ULTIMATE DICK MOVE CREATE A WIFE MACHINE. I mean, was one of the courses at Trump University called, 'How to be subservient to me and shut the fuck up 101'?
There's a lot of great back story to the wives that you don't get in many Trumpian tomes and the author really does try and give us some sort of insight as to why he is like this, especially when it comes to the subject's upbringing and his relationship with his parents.
It's a great read.
July 27, 2020
I think it is an excellent book about the most important women in Donald Trump's life. I learned a few things about his mother, grandmothers, wives and daughters I didn't know. There are also a few others in the book including mistresses and girlfriends and professional associates and friends. Many of the stories are not flattering, but I believe they are told honestly and with integrity. I don't think it was written to be scandalous or gossipy. There were times the reader is required to suspend disbelief. One example: These women truly love Donald. I think maybe many of his women flatter him and stroke his ego to get exactly what they want-- status, money, power.
I did not know that Trump encouraged two of his wives to pose naked for Playboy and wanted to have an open marriage with his first wife Ivana. (Ivanka posed for Playboy but not naked. There are many sexy photos of her wearing revealing clothing you can find by doing an Internet search.) They have plastic surgery to get the "perfect woman (Barbie)" look he loves. Ms Burleigh even discusses the importance of stillo heels and tight revealing clothing. Trump likes to make over his women into his imagine of feminine beauty. Marla wasn't so easily controlled and wasn't interested in always being glamorous or doing things she disagreed with to please him.
Donald loves to be with young, beautiful women, although he is old and overweight. He is a germaphobe and is disgusted and mystified by pregnancy and women's bodily functions. Discussion of his beauty pageant days (especially teens) and those with Howard Stern are cringe worthy.
I recommend the book to others who want to know more about Trump women.
......
Note: I've read in other books that Ivanka was more liberal before her father became president and that she and Jared have lost many friends over positions they have taken since. I've also read several times that she is being groomed to be America's first woman president. Yikes!!
I did not know that Trump encouraged two of his wives to pose naked for Playboy and wanted to have an open marriage with his first wife Ivana. (Ivanka posed for Playboy but not naked. There are many sexy photos of her wearing revealing clothing you can find by doing an Internet search.) They have plastic surgery to get the "perfect woman (Barbie)" look he loves. Ms Burleigh even discusses the importance of stillo heels and tight revealing clothing. Trump likes to make over his women into his imagine of feminine beauty. Marla wasn't so easily controlled and wasn't interested in always being glamorous or doing things she disagreed with to please him.
Donald loves to be with young, beautiful women, although he is old and overweight. He is a germaphobe and is disgusted and mystified by pregnancy and women's bodily functions. Discussion of his beauty pageant days (especially teens) and those with Howard Stern are cringe worthy.
I recommend the book to others who want to know more about Trump women.
......
Note: I've read in other books that Ivanka was more liberal before her father became president and that she and Jared have lost many friends over positions they have taken since. I've also read several times that she is being groomed to be America's first woman president. Yikes!!
April 29, 2019
9/10 ⭐
"Kobiety Donalda Trumpa" to książka opisująca kobiety z najbliższego otoczenia prezydenta Stanów Zjednoczonych i jego relacje z nimi. Oprócz o jego żonach autorka pisze także o matce, babci czy córkach Trumpa, co pozwala nam dostrzec jego podejście do płci przeciwnej nie tylko w roli kochanka, ale także ojca, syna i wnuka. Możemy także dowiedzieć się, jaki wpływ wywarło na niego otoczenie.
.
Książka poświęcona Trumpowi wzbudziła we mnie wiele emocji i niedowierzanie, nie tylko spowodowane tematem przewodnim, ale również wspomnieniami o innych licznych "grzeszkach" mężczyzny, który dopuścił się gwałtu na własnej żonie. Donald Trump starał się "wyszkolić" królowe Trumpolandii, przygotowywał je do życia w świecie show biznesu, aby za ich pomocą mógł reprezentować samego siebie. Po lekturze mam naprawdę bardzo negatywny stosunek do człowieka, który stawia mężczyzn wysoko ponad kobietami i nie dopuszcza do siebie myśli, że jego żona może osiągnąć w swoim życiu coś poważnego, bo przecież jest kobietą i sukces nie jest stworzony dla niej.
..
Donald Trump nudzi się swoimi żonami, a następnie porzuca je dla ich młodszych następczyń. Odczuwa niechęć do emigrantów, mimo tego, że wiele kobiet z jego rodziny wyemigrowało z kraju. Jest seksistą, antyfeministą, oszukuje, manipuluje i nadużywa swojej władzy. Ręce załamują mi się na myśl, że taki człowiek ma tak ogromne wpływy.
.
"Kobiety Donalda Trumpa" to bardzo rzetelna, szczegółowa i ciekawa literatura faktu, która pomoże nam otworzyć oczy i spojrzeć nieco inaczej na rodzinę Trumpów, a w szczególności na samego Donalda. Jego podejście do kobiet dla mnie jest po prostu straszne. Zachęcam wszystkich do przeczytania tej książki i poznania prawdziwego oblicza osoby, która prawdopodobnie nigdy nie poniesie konsekwencji za żaden ze swoich czynów. To bardzo wartościowa pozycja, którą zdecydowanie warto poznać.
"Kobiety Donalda Trumpa" to książka opisująca kobiety z najbliższego otoczenia prezydenta Stanów Zjednoczonych i jego relacje z nimi. Oprócz o jego żonach autorka pisze także o matce, babci czy córkach Trumpa, co pozwala nam dostrzec jego podejście do płci przeciwnej nie tylko w roli kochanka, ale także ojca, syna i wnuka. Możemy także dowiedzieć się, jaki wpływ wywarło na niego otoczenie.
.
Książka poświęcona Trumpowi wzbudziła we mnie wiele emocji i niedowierzanie, nie tylko spowodowane tematem przewodnim, ale również wspomnieniami o innych licznych "grzeszkach" mężczyzny, który dopuścił się gwałtu na własnej żonie. Donald Trump starał się "wyszkolić" królowe Trumpolandii, przygotowywał je do życia w świecie show biznesu, aby za ich pomocą mógł reprezentować samego siebie. Po lekturze mam naprawdę bardzo negatywny stosunek do człowieka, który stawia mężczyzn wysoko ponad kobietami i nie dopuszcza do siebie myśli, że jego żona może osiągnąć w swoim życiu coś poważnego, bo przecież jest kobietą i sukces nie jest stworzony dla niej.
..
Donald Trump nudzi się swoimi żonami, a następnie porzuca je dla ich młodszych następczyń. Odczuwa niechęć do emigrantów, mimo tego, że wiele kobiet z jego rodziny wyemigrowało z kraju. Jest seksistą, antyfeministą, oszukuje, manipuluje i nadużywa swojej władzy. Ręce załamują mi się na myśl, że taki człowiek ma tak ogromne wpływy.
.
"Kobiety Donalda Trumpa" to bardzo rzetelna, szczegółowa i ciekawa literatura faktu, która pomoże nam otworzyć oczy i spojrzeć nieco inaczej na rodzinę Trumpów, a w szczególności na samego Donalda. Jego podejście do kobiet dla mnie jest po prostu straszne. Zachęcam wszystkich do przeczytania tej książki i poznania prawdziwego oblicza osoby, która prawdopodobnie nigdy nie poniesie konsekwencji za żaden ze swoich czynów. To bardzo wartościowa pozycja, którą zdecydowanie warto poznać.
July 23, 2020
When a distinguished journalist submerges into the world of the six most vital influences to DJT's world, the Trump Women from Grandmother, mother, three wives and daughter, you receive another perspective of Trumps thinking and behaviour.
I have read several books on Melania and Donald, on all his women and from some of the women. There are many cases of deeply disturbing mental and physical abuse to all parties involved and they shape this leader severely and unfortunately negatively.
There are dozens of interesting, some possibly less well known, gems here. But if it was news you would have known it already. Putting then together paints a more accurate image than we have from various other and separate sources.
Of all my reading the chapters on Ivanka were the mist revealing and, in my opinion, equally disturbing.
The last chapter covers many of the accusers and other supporting women in Trump's life including his daughter Tiffany.
After finishing this I thought what do these people mean to the world, to the progress of the country and to each citizen? Have they added anything useful besides some merchandise on a Tv shopping channel? After much hard and intense focus I can't seem to find much and am left with a feeling that they are as shallow and hollow, some deeply submerged in old ways or supremely entitled because of someone else supposed wealth. They have to wear designer clothes to appear meaningful and worthy.
They must wear stiletto heels to please the leader. IT is a reality TV world where the image is all and people are meaningless and worthless, pawns to their power plays. A sad state they rule over.
I have read several books on Melania and Donald, on all his women and from some of the women. There are many cases of deeply disturbing mental and physical abuse to all parties involved and they shape this leader severely and unfortunately negatively.
There are dozens of interesting, some possibly less well known, gems here. But if it was news you would have known it already. Putting then together paints a more accurate image than we have from various other and separate sources.
Of all my reading the chapters on Ivanka were the mist revealing and, in my opinion, equally disturbing.
The last chapter covers many of the accusers and other supporting women in Trump's life including his daughter Tiffany.
After finishing this I thought what do these people mean to the world, to the progress of the country and to each citizen? Have they added anything useful besides some merchandise on a Tv shopping channel? After much hard and intense focus I can't seem to find much and am left with a feeling that they are as shallow and hollow, some deeply submerged in old ways or supremely entitled because of someone else supposed wealth. They have to wear designer clothes to appear meaningful and worthy.
They must wear stiletto heels to please the leader. IT is a reality TV world where the image is all and people are meaningless and worthless, pawns to their power plays. A sad state they rule over.
October 6, 2020
well this book is as I expected... it shares the tawdry details of the women who have "formed" the character of Donald J Trump. From his early years he fought for the attention of his mother, father, grandparents... was basically ignored and so became a bully around others. This made him feel 'strong'. That behaviour and mentality behind his thinking, continues today.
Ivana, Marla, Melania... and yes Ivanka... all have competed for his attention, put up with his behaviour and 'idolized' him in different ways.
There's no doubt these women were infatuated by what seemed like 'a powerful man'... but I think in all cases, they realized that he was needy, immature, childish and selfish.
Even his own daughter, has struggled to feel supported by her father, and she works tirelessly to gain her father's praise, and value! hmmmmmm sick....
it's an interesting read... basically covers stories that the reader will already have heard about Trump and his 'women'....
Ivana, Marla, Melania... and yes Ivanka... all have competed for his attention, put up with his behaviour and 'idolized' him in different ways.
There's no doubt these women were infatuated by what seemed like 'a powerful man'... but I think in all cases, they realized that he was needy, immature, childish and selfish.
Even his own daughter, has struggled to feel supported by her father, and she works tirelessly to gain her father's praise, and value! hmmmmmm sick....
it's an interesting read... basically covers stories that the reader will already have heard about Trump and his 'women'....
July 6, 2020
Burleigh makes a case for the significance of Trump women in a way that the family never has.
As she rightly points out, in any other family the fact that a woman started the company when they were on the brink of poverty would be an incessant talking point. Instead, this fact is hardly mentioned. In the research that I did when writing my humor book "Inside Melania: What I Know About Melania Trump by Impersonating Her" I did hear one person mention this fact - Ivanka.
Are woman in the Trump family the only ones who will acknowledge the importance of women to their clan? It seems so and Burleigh lays out very clearly the lessons that Donald learned about wealth, culture, and leadership from the women who raised and married him.
Look to this book for insightful anecdotes and beautifully written descriptions of the environment and time period of each of Donald's influences.
As she rightly points out, in any other family the fact that a woman started the company when they were on the brink of poverty would be an incessant talking point. Instead, this fact is hardly mentioned. In the research that I did when writing my humor book "Inside Melania: What I Know About Melania Trump by Impersonating Her" I did hear one person mention this fact - Ivanka.
Are woman in the Trump family the only ones who will acknowledge the importance of women to their clan? It seems so and Burleigh lays out very clearly the lessons that Donald learned about wealth, culture, and leadership from the women who raised and married him.
Look to this book for insightful anecdotes and beautifully written descriptions of the environment and time period of each of Donald's influences.
August 16, 2020
The book os a little longer than necessary, and diverts its attention from the women to Trump himself in several sections, unnecessarily. It rehashes parts of Donalds upbringing covered in Mary Trump’s book without adding anything to this book’s theme. I think it could have used a judicious editing, but the background on each of his wives was interesting. The part about Melania after the presidency and Ivanka’s “ branding” was fascinating. I am always amazed at what someone with do for money. The more money, the more of themselves they will give up or bend. My feet hurt while reading about the 4 inch heels Trumps women were expected to wear. I guess we really haven’t gotten that far in the cause of women’s value if people like the president only see’s them as objects. Makes me sad that ant woman would put up with this.
June 15, 2019
Fascinating and nauseating liked watching a gory accident, this book has more research than you might expect a book about a reality TV star. I wouldn't go so far as to call it academic, but it's definitely among the educational entertainment books that I enjoy. While I normally prefer to give 45 a minimal amount of attention, this work is centered on women and the roles (or tropes) available to us when trying to navigate late capitalism.
It is a difficult read at times. I would warn the reader that the book closes with direct quotes from women harassed and exploited by the man. It's especially painful knowing that they will never receive justice and that the author herself has been harassed and threatened for her writing.
It is a difficult read at times. I would warn the reader that the book closes with direct quotes from women harassed and exploited by the man. It's especially painful knowing that they will never receive justice and that the author herself has been harassed and threatened for her writing.
September 4, 2020
Such an interesting read! It did take me a while to read this as the topic was not light and at times made you think about what you had seen in the news as a lot of it was relevant or happened recently (especially towards the end of the book). I did enjoy the chapters about his previous wives, especially the first. It was especially interesting to read about his mother and grandmother. How they shaped him as the man he is today but how he doesn't credit them to certain successes that they were part of especially his grandmother in getting the company founded. The author did use other books as references and does quote her story from Newsweek. Interesting perspective about the high heel in the Trump world.
August 4, 2023
Golden Handcuffs: The Secret History of Trump's Women is a book about the women of Trump's life, namely his wives, his oldest daughter, and his mother. The picture painted is pretty bleak, with women tending to either be erased or treated like trash by Trump. Indeed, Trump's first divorce came about because he considered his wife to be too much of an equal.
It was quite the interesting book, but I would have liked a bit more focus on some of the other people, like his younger daughter and the many people who were likely sexually assaulted by him. My udnerstanding too is that this information isn't particularly new? Still an interesting read.
It was quite the interesting book, but I would have liked a bit more focus on some of the other people, like his younger daughter and the many people who were likely sexually assaulted by him. My udnerstanding too is that this information isn't particularly new? Still an interesting read.
April 1, 2019
Oh boy - didn’t realize how intense this book would get. First, I have to say that I am not a fan of the author’s style of writing. Some of her sentences were so long, I had to go back and mentally put them in outline order to be able to fully understand them. Sometimes I still could not figure out what she was trying to say. Don’t think I will be reading any other books of hers.
Secondly, being as naive as I am, it is amazing to me that a man with a conglomerate of Trump’s size, has the time or wherewithal to indulge in his womanizing.
I still wonder: how much is enough? Of anything?
Secondly, being as naive as I am, it is amazing to me that a man with a conglomerate of Trump’s size, has the time or wherewithal to indulge in his womanizing.
I still wonder: how much is enough? Of anything?
July 1, 2020
Trumps World
I bought this hoping to understand that odious man a bit more. I thought that maybe I just did not “get” him, the culture clash was too much, I was bigoted...
The current POTUS is the bigot without culture. I was even more horrified as I read about his privileged start in life, his bullying, his ineptitude, his selfishness, let’s not even get started on his attitude to women. But, this is a book about Trumps women, I hear you say, yes it is. In relation to and in relationships with him. Each highlighting his character.
This book is no hagiography.
I bought this hoping to understand that odious man a bit more. I thought that maybe I just did not “get” him, the culture clash was too much, I was bigoted...
The current POTUS is the bigot without culture. I was even more horrified as I read about his privileged start in life, his bullying, his ineptitude, his selfishness, let’s not even get started on his attitude to women. But, this is a book about Trumps women, I hear you say, yes it is. In relation to and in relationships with him. Each highlighting his character.
This book is no hagiography.
December 28, 2018
This book is worth reading, especially the section about the influence of Trump’s mother. The book provides vivid insight about the sources of Trump’s narcissism, his misogyny, his vindictiveness, and his lying. The section about his relationship with Ivanka is also insightful and underscores its ‘creepiness’.
The book complements books such as “Proof of Collusion”, “Fear...”, and “Fire and Fury” by highlighting the importance of family in creating and explaining Trump’s behaviours.
The book complements books such as “Proof of Collusion”, “Fear...”, and “Fire and Fury” by highlighting the importance of family in creating and explaining Trump’s behaviours.
January 7, 2020
An in-depth look at the women who have had the most influence on Donald Trump--from his grandmother and mother to his wives and daughters; his relationships with the women in his current orbit; and his attitude toward women in general. This book shines an unflattering spotlight on the patriarchal Trump clan, and the substantial price women who are born into--or who marry into--the family pay for access to power and wealth.
July 15, 2020
Misleading Title; No Secrets Here
A somewhat interesting read, but not what I was expecting based on book title, which implied something a little more gossipy or salacious. Book essentially provided a chronological look at Trump's relationships with six key women in his life: his grandmother, mother, 3 wives, and his daughter. There were no great "reveals" here, and book got tedious at times, but writing was grammatically correct and stayed "on point".
A somewhat interesting read, but not what I was expecting based on book title, which implied something a little more gossipy or salacious. Book essentially provided a chronological look at Trump's relationships with six key women in his life: his grandmother, mother, 3 wives, and his daughter. There were no great "reveals" here, and book got tedious at times, but writing was grammatically correct and stayed "on point".
October 30, 2018
I am a fan of this author and that is the only reason that I would read anything about Trump and his family. The author does give some great insight into his unidentified personality disorders and how they were apparent as a child. I was surprised that I actually warmed up to Ivana, the first wife. Definitely worth the read. Thanks for another great book, Nina!
June 13, 2020
Well researched and reasonably well written despite the lurid title. The family history gives insight into the Very Stable Genius's behaviors and pathologies. However an explanation is not an excuse. What a ghastly bunch of people. The book was informative, but I was relieved to be finished with it.
December 24, 2025
Originally published in 2018 the book doesn’t include the pandemic, the Insurrection, the re-election in 2024 (where Trump continues to surround himself in his Cabinet appointments and Press Secretary who reflect the Trump women visages and loyalty) and his ever increasing disrespect to female journalists.
April 29, 2019
Interesting look at the women in Trump's life.
The book is not gossipy or full of petty stories, in my opinion.
A look at what it could be about these women (what do they need or want in life) who continue to stand by Trump.
The book is not gossipy or full of petty stories, in my opinion.
A look at what it could be about these women (what do they need or want in life) who continue to stand by Trump.
September 11, 2020
Informative
Well written, Informative, surprising, the author researched the subject
And organized the reading in a way that made reading easy hard to
Put down frightening
Well written, Informative, surprising, the author researched the subject
And organized the reading in a way that made reading easy hard to
Put down frightening
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