Plaintiff in Chief: A Portrait of Donald Trump in 3,500 Lawsuits

by James D. Zirin

A comprehensive analysis of Donald Trump's legal history reveals his temperament, methods, character, and morality.

Unlike all previous presidents who held distinguished positions in government or the military prior to entering office, Donald Trump's political worldview was molded in the courtroom. He sees law not as a system of rules to be obeyed and ethical ideals to be respected, but as a weapon to be used against his adversaries or a hurdle to be sidestepped when it gets in his way. He has weaponized the justice system throughout his career, and he has continued to use these backhanded tactics as Plaintiff in Chief.

In this book, distinguished New York attorney James D. Zirin presents Trump's lengthy litigation history as an indication of his character and morality, and his findings are chilling: if you partner with Donald Trump, you will probably wind up litigating with him. If you enroll in his university or buy one of his apartments, chances are you will want your money back. If you are a woman and you get too close to him, you may need to watch your back. If you try to sue him, he's likely to defame you. If you make a deal with him, you had better get it in writing. If you are a lawyer, an architect, or even his dentist, you'd better get paid up front. If you venture an opinion that publicly criticizes him, you may be sued for libel.

A window into the president's dark legal history, Plaintiff in Chief is as informative as it is disturbing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Us Presidents

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

JAMES D. ZIRIN a former Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he served in the Criminal Division under the legendary Robert Morganthau. His writing has appeared in major periodicals such as Forbes, the LA Times, the London Times, the Washington Times, the Nation, and the New York Law Journal. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. A graduate of Princeton University, Zirin received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a president who enjoys boasting about the vastness of—well—everything, it should come as no surprise that Donald Trump has been part of an audacious number of lawsuits. The roughly 3,500 cases themselves are as varied as Trump’s business schemes. It’s a wild ride, stemming all the way back to a 1973 case for housing discrimination to the pre-presidential Trump University class action lawsuit and every defamation case in-between.

Author James Zirin, a former federal prosecutor, manages to string this overabundance of litigation together into an exploration of the Trumpian way of life. Why let bygones be bygones when you can sue? Or better yet, when you can threaten to sue. In case after case, he’s presented as a lumbering entity smashing into the legal system regardless of his actual legal standing. And while Zirin is routinely fair in his assessments, this repetition of scenarios casting Trump in a negative light will probably appeal more to individuals of a certain political persuasion.

This is unfortunate because, though Zirin does admit to identifying as a Republican and he obviously has a distaste for Trump, he steeps his analysis in facts. Consistently, he provides thorough documentation for his claims, which is particularly startling in showcasing Trump’s frequent lies. Deposition and popular media interview answers often contradict, and it’s almost astounding how easily Zirin is able to present Trump sabotaging himself right out in the open. After this occurring in lawsuit after lawsuit, it almost becomes too daunting to finish, but Zirin makes it all flow, writing clearly without getting too wonkish — frankly, it’s a compelling tragedy.

Does Zirin offer much sway in the minds of Trump apologists? No. However, for anyone already bristling each time they see a ‘BREAKING NEWS’ chyron, he offers an insightful dive into some of the less-focused-on legal scandals that Trump has left in his wake.

Note: I received a free ARC of this book through Edelweiss.

Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

President Trump has been involved in over 3,500 lawsuits throughout the years. That makes him the Plaintiff in Chief. But what else does that tell us about him?

By all accounts, young Donald wanted to be like his father—rich and aggressive. Fred Trump lied obsessively about everything. He believed that the law didn’t apply to him or his mobster friends. However, he was partial to suing people defensively to prevent someone from doing something he didn’t like even if it was perfectly legal and even just. Donald expanded on that by also using lawsuits to advertise his “Art of the Deal” brand. Once Donald befriended Roy Cohn, a mob lawyer in the 1970s, whatever moral, ethical or even practical inhibition he might have had was lost.

I found the facts in Plaintiff in Chief fascinating. It is amazing what a person can get away with using just prevarication and chutzpah. However, I felt the author was writing from an emotional point of view. He would repeat himself frequently. I am also not totally on board with some of his conclusions. Therefore, even though it was an interesting read, I would only recommend it to people who already dislike President Trump. I don’t think it will change anyone’s viewpoint. 3 stars.

Thanks to All Points Books, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collects a boatload of data about Trump’s business practices supported by citations to books, newspaper articles, and magazine pieces. A former federal prosecutor and a trial lawyer for fifty years, Zirn, a self-proclaimed lifelong middle-of-the-road Republican, crafts a case that Trump has used the threat of lawsuits and the legal process itself to dominate those who stood in his way or otherwise displeased him. Zirn says that early on Trump fell under the influence of Roy Cohn, who represented him in business matters and prenuptial agreements with Ivan Trump. According to Zirn, Cohn taught Trump the strategy: “Admit nothing, deny everything; lie, dissemble, and prevaricate. Make false and scurrilous accusations to demonize your adversary.” Sound familiar?
Repetitive at times, the book covers the Fair Housing Act racial discrimination charges against the 27 year old Donald J. Trump (Woody Guthrie wrote a song about “Old Man [Fred] Trump” and his Beach Haven apartments, where “no black folks come to roam”); RoyCohn’s defense of that lawsuit (Trump didn’t want to rent to welfare recipients), Trump’s early years as a NYC playboy, misogynist; his reputation in NYC (deputy mayor Alair Townsend: “I wouldn’t trust Donal Trump if his tongue was notarized”); his various real estate projects, mostly funded by loans; his and Roy Cohan’s Mob connections and how the Mob controlled concrete used in NYC construction during the 1980s; Mob related figures and Russian oligarchs living in Trump Tower; his Atlantic City casino bankruptcies (the Wall Street Journal and others were skeptical of Trump’s ability to make it there because of the nature of the industry, his unfamiliarity with it, and his highly leveraged cash position, among other reasons; he, of course, threatened suit, which resulted in one publisher firing the offending analyst, who later recovered $750,000 from his employer and an undisclosed amount of money from Trump in a settlement of a separate lawsuit); Trump’s representations to regulators (when NJ regulators expressed concern about his debt load and the possibility the Trump Organization could collapse, Trump said banks were eager to lend to him at prime rates then got a $675 million loan through a Merrill Lynch underwritten 14% junk bond offering); his relationship with Deutche Bank; his response to allegations of unwanted sexual conduct (deny, threaten suit, and/or silence the accusers); the Trump University fraud lawsuits he settled for 90 cents on the dollar of tuition paid; his misuse of Trump Foundation monies; and the Mueller investigation.
All-in-all, Zirn makes a good case for long-standing character traits that many of those who voted for Trump in 2016 would not put up with in a friend.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! After reading this book, I wonder how Donald Trump even got to be the nominee, let alone President. He was the subject of numerous lawsuits, but the one common denominator was his ability to not be impacted by them. He has a way of coming out unscathed while others take the fall for him. Every American needs to read this.

[Brad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gotta stop reading about this piece of...always feel like I need to take a shower after reading about him. Nothing really new if you have been paying attention to the news for the past few years, but Zirin does a pretty good job of gathering a lot of info into one place. Just more evidence, as if more was needed, about what a terrible human being he is. Unbelievable.

[Peter Z. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could this be a smear job by an "ex" political appointee with an axe to grind?
Asking for a friend.

[Mannie Liscum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is James Zirin’s “Plaintiff In Chief” a critique of Donald J. Trump? Certainly. Is it a critique of his political policies or partisanship? Not in the least. Zirin presents a clearheaded narrative that examines the litigative history of Donald Trump, private and public citizen. This is a story of a mans litigious nature, one that paints an all too disturbing portrait of obsessive narcissism, hunger for power and control, and a dark retributive personality. Donald Trump has spent much of his adult life in litigation, both as a plaintiff and defendant, over 3500 court cases, countless threats of lawsuits and innumerable twists abs contortions of legalities. Litigious to a fault, Donald Trump ‘litigates for lunch,’ turning first to using and abusing the legal system to cower, intimidate and destroy perceived adversaries and enemies. As Zirin demonstrates Trumps litigations often defy legal or rational sense, oft initiated merely to gain publicity or temporary dominance over another. The Trump-initiated lawsuits are rarely about truth or redressing wrongs but about pure pettiness and vindictive reaction to his bruised ego. Donald Trumps history of legal battles tell a story of the man and his personality, how he sees life and transactions with others, and it isn’t pretty. If you want to understand ‘how’ Donald Trump is at his core, abc you aren’t interested in partisan tribalism (either supporting or resisting Trump), “Plaintiff In Chief” is a book for you. Couple it with Rick Reilly’s book “Commander In Cheat,” which is focused entirely on Trump and his obsession with golf, and you will get a largely politics-free portrait of the current President of the United States. Highly recommended for all citizens, left, right or other of the United States. 4 stars.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Plaintiff in Chief: A Portrait of Donald Trump in 3,500 Lawsuits” which I received through Goodreads Giveaways James D. Zirin draws a well-documented portrait of a President, whose professional history, character and morality have been shaped by litigation including housing discrimination in 1973, to a University class action lawsuit, and sexual misconduct. Involved in more than 3500 lawsuits, it is clear no one is immune in his sphere of influence, not lawyers, architects, dentists or even ex-wives. Suing for “sport, to achieve a sense of control, or making a point” his losses outweigh his wins, a fact he’d continually denies.

Well-written and fascinating with lies, threats, conspiracy theories and intimidation the hallmark of his business and private life over the years, Donald Trump is a compelling character who refuses to give up or be dismissed for unethical, bad behavior; lessons learned his father Fred Trump's business dealings as well as from the unscrupulous Roy Cohn. I applaud James D. Zirin for trying to write an unbiased look at Trump that will not be a surprise some while inflaming others.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Plaintiff in Chief: A Portrait of Donald Trump in 3,500 Lawsuits” and hope that this man who has caused so much harm to “American foreign relations, to their Constitution and rule of law” will soon receive his just reward, but right now it's wait and see as events unfold.

[Brian Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, all the above are true. If, at all, you've been wondering whether Trump is reality or bad dream or whether he possibly might not be, if his audacity and unabashed obnoxiousness are in fact brilliantly calculated political "genius" perhaps disguising boundless benevolence for downtrodden and meritorious alike, you can rest assured. This beautifully detailed, thoroughly cited and researched work and account, documents that he has always been like he is, abusive, duplicitous and damaging to individual and institution alike. His basic tactic throughout his business life, right from youth, has been to disinform and hobble anyone or anything preventing his personal gain. From racist slum-landlord to casino-owning mafia-hobnobbing to misogynist sex-pageant host to online education and charity conman, he's not above anything (and that's only what we know for sure!). He treats foreign powers, from large to small dictatorships, to his largesse (renting floors of his buildings at inflated prices) in exchange for kickbacks and concessions.

Reading this book (though not many people do that anymore) will reassure you that, in spite of the fact that so large of a minority support him wholeheartedly, its not just your imagination. At the same time you will feel a darker foreboding that forces perhaps even beyond Donald's understanding have been unleashed.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why I continue to read about our current president. All it does is make me angry. This one? This nearly pushed me over the edge. It explains A LOT. He’s a showman, a magician, a used car salesman and moves coconuts around hiding the prize underneath like no one has ever done it before (verbiage he loves to spout…like ever before). If you looked up the word litigious, you would see his picture (probably of the one with his so-called ear injury). The book confirmed that not only does he hyper-inflate his wealth, he under-values properties to skate taxes (that the US citizenry has never been privy to viewing), he aligns himself with people who can most kindly be described as racketeers, his real estate practices excluded minorities, and he is an unfaithful, violent womanizer. These are not new allegations. The irrefutable proof chapter after chapter, though, drove the idea home to me that the US has taken a turn that we will not be able to right. Ever.

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fuck the law, who’s the judge?” — Roy Cohn

Painful to read. Trump probably has more experience w/ litigation than most lawyers. It, since the beginning, has been a core business tactic of his.

A rough list of the types of suits:

- Not paying employees/contractors
- Finding ways out of financial deals after screwing over investors
- Threatening people for defamation and libel of the Trump name (usually without following through, because the truth is a solid defense against libel, and Trump wouldn’t want the judge to bring out a measuring tape**.
- Suing to silence women, hush money, pre-nups, etc
- Dealings with the mafia for construction of his buildings
- Strategic lawsuit to protect his interest in the casino businesses
- Avoiding and defending against fraud allegations
- And, while in office, avoiding corruption/obstruction of justice charges

**https://hyperallergic.com/292436/the-...

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plaintiff in Chief's subtitle tells you the gist of the book. The author contemplates how, when, why, in what circumstances that Trump has sued or has been sued. In this portrait we see basically the same habits he has brought to his current job - bluster, deception, and inability to admit wrong, etc. You will learn very little that you don't already know by paying attention to him for these last few years. I did find fascinating the pre-Donald history of the Trumps. Basically, he's one of many; it would be odd if he did NOT turn out this way.

It's one of many books about this person. I must admit this book looks at the guy from a unique angle.

[Hans Voorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As other reviewers have stated, depending on your political leanings, you will disparage or applaud this book. However, this is no unnamed source, no high level administration speaking on the condition of anonymity; these are legal records and court cases - actually facts. It leaves one with a picture of a man-child bullying his way through life, successful by way of threatening and intimidating, denying everything and behaving, well, like he does in the White House. Well written and shockingly disgusting description of the enfant terrible who is president.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zirin’s premise held so much promise that was, sadly, lost in the execution. It was, after all, supposed to be a lawyer’s deep-dive analysis into Trump’s many, many lawsuits. What we got, however, is a superficial gloss on already well known, previously reported cases. There was no additional work, fresh perspective, or useful insight. Finally, although I am no fan of Trump, I found that the constant stream of digs, asides, and speculation put the coffin nail in any sense of coherent narrative.

It could have been so much more.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zirin clearly had ten things to research and fact check on every page. I wish more people would reference DT's history of law suits because they define him as a man and businessman. Reading this book was very educational, but totally exhausting.

[MUELLER R.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOT FIT FOR THE THIS IMPORTANT OFFICE

When the history is written on this president it will show a dark chapter in American History once more. His legacy will not be good. A real blow to his ego.

[Dan Cotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does a deep dive into the suits President Trump has been engaged in for years.

[Nicole Marble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Law suits by Trump are just mean to to bankrupt the opponent. Fascinating read!

[Michael Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of almost 30 books that show how terrible a President Donald Trump really is. The numerous lies and terrible policy decisions make for sad reading material.

[Frank Brennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frankly rather boring. Didn't really add anything to the dialogue about America's Greatest Con man.

[Al Maki]

Repetitious and unpleasant.

Although I agree with the author about Trump’s character I’m unable to read the book. Trump’s obsessions quickly became tedious.

[Randa Pickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read about Mr Trump the facts around his life.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very bad guy.

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been better organized, with information more clearly and tightly cited.

[Victoria Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be both surprisingly entertaining and deeply unsettling — such a fascinating dive into the mentality of what is sure to be the most controversial president in US history. Glad to have read this!

[Leonardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will get opposing reactions, depending on what political perspective the reader has. That is I am sure a given that the writer and reader will know up front. Having said that, I really liked it. It was obviously well researched. And it is also very timely give our current political environment.

For those who are likeminded to the author, most of the content will not surprise and a lot of it is summarizing material that has been expounded on by many others over the last few years. The added benefit here is that it consolidates and documents a lot of that information and it provides a perspective on the volume and repetitiveness of the issues. What was even more interesting to me though was the background on how far back this goes and how all life encompassing it is for Trump and his family. For those that have been already familiar with this material, none of Trump's current and likely future behavior is likely a surprise and they could probably have told the rest of us what we had in store. Same old Same Old but even more so!

Unfortunately, as well documented as the material is, and well written, it is almost guaranteed to just further inflame those opposed to Trump, and concurrently be completely ignored by supporters of Trump. Facts no longer seem to matter as they are all just run through an idealogical filter that has no flexibility. And that is a shame for our society and our civility.

With all that, I highly enjoyed this book. I wish the author all the success for the book and hope he publishes other works in the future.

Thank you so much NetGalley for letting me review this book.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plaintiff in Chief of course will irritate some people depending on what political side you are. Many people don't listen to facts or the constitution anymore. This is a well written book and the author has done their research.