ALL the hoopla and moolah during his book launch was a mirror to the world according to Donald Trump.
The real estate mogul promoted his latest book Think Big and Kick Ass last week at a New York City bookstore on where else, but Fifth Avenue, where its reputation as one of the world’s most expensive shopping streets remains solid despite the weakened dollar.
Curvaceous women in black little T-shirts emblazoned with the book title on the front and “I love Donald” at the back worked the crowds, giving out chocolate gold coins.
There was a mascot as well, bearing a resemblance to The Donald, complete with the infamous hair.
But the greatest bait was probably the US$100 (RM336) offered to the first 100 people who bought the book.
“I downed three cups of coffee to stay warm,” said Christopher Forbes, a 20-year-old student who began queuing up at 10pm the night before the book event.
His effort paid off. Forbes, who described Trump as his role model and that he wanted to become a real estate tycoon like him, was the first person in line. The second guy for the 12.30pm book launch last Tuesday arrived at 5am.
It was a happy crowd that day. Someone shouted: “I made US$100 today! Do you want to interview me?”
Trump sure seemed to have his fans. They held up placards proclaiming “Donald, Teach Me Think Big”, “My Eyes are on the $$$”, “Donald for President. Get Rid of Bush” and “Trump Kicks Ass”. One boy clutched a Donald doll.
Yvonne de Groot, a tourist from Holland, came for his signature when she found out that Trump would be at the Barnes & Noble bookstore. “He is quite big in my country,” she said.
His arrival drew cheers and chants of his name.
“That’s quite a hair,” an elderly man said, upon spotting The Donald. Indeed, his hair looked even more terrible close up.
Trump addressed the crowd for a couple of minutes in a brief speech that proved that it was all about think big and talk big.
“It is a bestseller already. It is going to be number one. I have been told that today’s turnout at Barnes & Noble here is the biggest in the past five years,” he said.
He had had a good life, he said, and the book carried a message of success.
Last Sunday, the New York Post published one full page of excerpts from his book. It highlighted his advice to couples that they must always have a prenuptial agreement.
He cited the example of Paul McCartney, calling him “the poor bastard” for making the mistake of not having a prenuptial agreement with Heather Mills.
Mills would still be a nobody if she had not married the ex-Beatles, he wrote.
The 61-year-old billionaire told his third and current wife Melania that she was beautiful and they would have a great marriage but “just in case it doesn’t work out, sign on the dotted line.”
He conceded that that was not the most romantic act but it was necessary.
The Donald sure has a mouth that matches his bank account. He was blunt about Angelina Jolie (“she’s no beauty”), George Clooney (“little and short”) and Martha Stewart (he’s upset about her ingratitude).
He granted a quick interview to an entertainment TV station before he proceeded to sign copies of his book that day, where he once again was on the offensive against Jolie.
“She was frenching her brother at the (2000) Academy Awards; then there was all that with Billy Bob Thornton and now she is representing the United Nations on world peace. Give me a break,” he said.
He thought of her as a pretty woman but “she’s no great beauty.”
Trump certainly did not forget comedian and former talk show host Rosie O’Donnell, his favourite target. “Rosie’s a bully. I have never respected her,” he said.
He mentioned as well that he had been asked to appear on Saturday Night Live.
“Should I be on Saturday Night Live?” he quizzed, somewhat teasingly. The people around him cheered.
Trump went on to say that the new version of The Apprentice, which would feature celebrity guests, was going to be a monster hit. The cheers began again. His fans were fired up and no one got fired.