Over the course of the negotiations, Trump developed something akin to friendship with the development-agency official on the other end of the talks, Michael Bailkin. They would get drinks at a Third Avenue bar, where Trump would occasionally offer Bailkin a glimpse into his inner life, such as it was, by talking about his brother Freddie’s struggles with alcoholism. During one conversation Bailkin told Trump, “You’re a very shallow person.” Trump replied, “Of course. That’s one of my strengths. I never pretend to be anything else.”
