

How Trump Learned to Lie and Twist Truth: Author
9 snips Aug 26, 2025
Jonathan Mahler, author of 'The Gods of New York', dives into Donald Trump's rise during the tabloid age of the 1980s. He reveals how Trump mastered gossip and staged media spectacles to sculpt his public persona. The discussion covers his infamous feud with the Koch brothers, his controversial ad regarding the Central Park Five, and the scandal surrounding Marla Maples. Mahler highlights how tabloid culture not only fueled Trump's ambitions but also laid the groundwork for his future political endeavors, showcasing the deep-seated links between media and power.
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Publicity As Power
- Donald Trump learned that publicity equals power in 1980s New York's tabloid culture.
- He discovered that escalating outrageousness amplified his public profile and influence.
Page Six Made New Celebrities
- Page Six transformed gossip into a team-driven, nonstop engine for city celebrity-making.
- Trump recognized it as the new stage to anoint nontraditional celebrities like developers and bankers.
Wollman Rink Power Play
- Trump used Page Six and tabloids to humiliate Mayor Ed Koch and force control of Wollman Rink.
- He held weekly press conferences at the rink to sustain pressure and public attention.