As an investor, Trump got into everything late: greenmailing was a successful gambit in the early eighties; Trump didn’t start until 1986. The Harry Helmsleys of the world were selling hotels in 1988; Trump was buying. But worse than being late, Trump has been last. In a speculative boom, the idea is to not be the last person in line — everyone wants to keep passing the overpriced land or stock or painting on up to a higher-paying, greater fool. Donald Trump is the last in line for The Plaza, for the casinos, for the Trump Shuttle.
