Subtotal ₹0.00
President Donald Trump recently stirred up major controversy when he suggested a plan for the Gaza Strip that sounds straight out of his real estate development handbook. He proposed that the United States “take over” Gaza, relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries like Egypt or Jordan, and then redevelop the area into something like the “Riviera of the Middle East.” The idea: Clear the land, rebuild it better, and create an economic paradise.
But here’s where this gets interesting. If you know Trump’s history as a real estate developer—and if you’ve read his famous book The Art of the Deal—this plan might sound familiar. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see how his business past might be influencing his political proposals—and how that same mindset could provide insight when making decisions based on Trump’s statements.
A Look Back at Trump’s Real Estate Moves in NYC
Back in the 1980s, Trump bought a 14-story building at 100 Central Park South in New York City. It was filled with rent-controlled tenants who had affordable housing, but Trump had a vision: knock the building down and build luxury condos instead. The only problem? The tenants weren’t exactly eager to leave.
So, Trump did what developers sometimes do in these situations—he applied pressure. He let the building fall into disrepair and even threatened to house homeless people there to “encourage” the tenants to leave. The tactic worked for some, but others fought back with legal action. It was messy, but eventually, Trump got what he wanted. (Check out the full story here: CNN Money 2)
Now, Compare That to Gaza
Fast-forward to 2025, and Trump’s suggestion for Gaza seems like déjà vu. He looks at Gaza and sees a region devastated by war, political unrest, and poverty—basically, a property in disrepair. His solution? Clear out the current residents, take over the land, and redevelop it.
This strategy is straight out of The Art of the Deal, where Trump emphasizes the importance of leverage. He writes that “the best deals are the ones where you can gain the upper hand and negotiate from a position of strength.” In New York, the leverage was applying pressure on tenants. In Gaza, his leverage would come from clearing the land and controlling the redevelopment process.
In Trump’s mind, this is a win-win: Palestinians relocate to surrounding countries, and the U.S. or its allies can transform Gaza into a prosperous region. But, as with his real estate projects, this plan ignores some key things—like the fact that people live there and have deep, emotional ties to the land. And let’s be honest, relocating millions of people isn’t exactly the same as asking tenants to leave an apartment building. (WRIC ABC 8News 3)
It’s simple—he’s a businessman at heart, and he often approaches political issues the same way he approached his real estate deals. In business, if something’s not working, you tear it down and rebuild it. For Trump, Gaza is like a “distressed property” that needs new management and a complete makeover. The problem is, political issues like Gaza aren’t just about money and construction—they’re about history, culture, and human lives.
This same business-driven mindset has shown up in other parts of Trump’s presidency, too:
- Trade negotiations felt more like business deals (think about his tariffs and renegotiations of NAFTA).
- Immigration policy was framed as protecting the U.S. “investment” by building a wall to keep outsiders away.
- Tax cuts focused on corporations and the wealthy, reflecting his belief in reinvesting at the top to stimulate growth.
As Trump wrote in The Art of the Deal, “I like thinking big. If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.” This mindset helps explain why his proposals—whether it’s restructuring trade, reshaping immigration policy, or redeveloping Gaza—tend to be bold and sweeping.
The Problem with Applying Business Tactics to Geopolitics, unless…1
What works in real estate often doesn’t work in global politics. When Trump displaced tenants in New York, the worst-case scenario for them was finding a new apartment. But in Gaza, relocating millions of people could lead to humanitarian disasters, long-term instability, and global backlash. As many experts and critics have pointed out, the idea of “removing” Palestinians is not just controversial—it’s widely viewed as a violation of international law. (BBC 4)
Understanding Trump’s Thinking Helps in the Trucking Business
So, what does all this have to do with trucking? A lot. As you know, policies, economic conditions, and regulations coming from leaders like Trump have a direct impact on the trucking industry. Whether it’s fuel prices, tariffs on goods, or infrastructure investments, understanding how leaders think and make decisions can help you stay ahead of the curve.
Here’s what we can take away from Trump’s decision-making style:
1. Trump Likes Bold, Disruptive Moves: He doesn’t usually tinker with small fixes. He likes to shake things up—whether that’s renegotiating trade deals, imposing tariffs, or suggesting a complete rebuild of Gaza.
- Tip for Trucking: Stay alert to the magnitude of changes. When Trump talks about tariffs or trade policy, anticipate how it could impact freight demand, imports, exports, and the overall supply chain. For example, his trade war with China could have a huge effect on trucking, especially for those hauling imported goods.
2. Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain: Trump’s philosophy is often about taking short-term hits to achieve long-term benefits. When he pushed out tenants in New York, there was plenty of controversy and lawsuits, but in the end, he got his luxury development. Similarly, his trade policies aimed at sacrificing short-term economic stability to gain long-term trade leverage.
- Tip for Trucking: If Trump proposes a policy change—like a tax cut for the wealthy or infrastructure spending—it may not yield immediate results. But understanding that his strategy is often long-term could help carriers prepare for future opportunities. For example, when Trump pushed tax cuts, it helped some trucking companies reinvest profits into their fleets.
3. Transactional Decision-Making: Trump tends to view everything as a deal to be negotiated. His decisions aren’t necessarily rooted in ideology but in what he thinks he can gain from the transaction. This explains why he took unpredictable stances on trade partners like Mexico and Canada.
- Tip for Trucking Businesses: Expect unpredictability. When Trump makes a move, it might not follow a predictable or “traditional” path. Carriers should remain flexible and prepare for unexpected shifts in demand, fuel prices, or freight availability.
4. Disregard for Traditional Stakeholders: Just like he bypassed tenant rights in his real estate days, Trump’s policies sometimes disregard traditional stakeholders (like unions or small business owners) in favor of big-picture gains.
- Tip for Trucking Businesses: Watch for policies that might favor large corporations or disrupt smaller operators. For example, tax policies and deregulation efforts during his presidency were great for larger fleets but left smaller carriers feeling squeezed. Knowing this in advance can help smaller carriers strategize.
Final Thought: Take Trump’s Thinking as a Signal, not a Blueprint
As a carrier, broker, dispatcher, and shipper, you can learn a lot by understanding Trump’s decision-making style. His proposals may sound extreme (like taking over Gaza), but they often signal bigger shifts in policy. For us in the trucking industry, this means staying proactive and adapting to changes quickly—whether it’s a rise in freight demand or a shift in diesel prices. By thinking of Trump’s policies as a business deal with winners and losers, you can position yourself to land on the winning side.
When the next big announcement comes, remember: Trump is always looking at the long-term play, even if it causes short-term chaos. Recognizing that can help trucking businesses make more informed decisions in uncertain times.
Sources:
1 FR8Connect – “Donald Trump’s Second Term: Strategies, Policies, What He is Really Saying and What You Can Do About It” by Paul Kangethe II
2 CNN Money – “Donald Trump was a nightmare landlord in the 1980s” by Jose Pagliery
3 WRIC ABC 8News – “Trump’s Gaza plan has stunned the region. Here’s a look at the serious obstacles it faces” by Joseph Krauss
4 BBC – “Trump’s Gaza plan will be seen as flying in face of international law” by Tom Bateman
