The Art Of The Deal Ghostwriter Speaks: 5 Shocking New Revelations From Tony Schwartz

The untold story of *Trump: The Art of the Deal* has become one of the most significant ethical and political controversies in modern publishing history. As of December 2025, the book’s co-author, journalist Tony Schwartz, remains one of Donald J. Trump’s most vocal and informed critics, expressing profound remorse for helping to create the "myth" that launched Trump into the national spotlight and ultimately the presidency. His recent statements—especially in light of the 2024 election cycle and the release of the bio-pic *The Apprentice*—have brought the decades-old collaboration back into sharp focus, revealing new layers of regret and political urgency. Schwartz's ongoing revelations are not just about a ghostwriting project; they are a cautionary tale about the power of narrative, the ethics of authorship, and the unintended consequences of putting "lipstick on a pig." His primary mission now is to use his unique insider perspective to dismantle the persona he helped build, a task that has defined his professional life for nearly a decade.

The Ghostwriter’s Profile: Tony Schwartz and the Art of the Deal

Tony Schwartz is an American journalist, author, and business consultant best known for his collaboration with Donald Trump on the 1987 bestseller, *Trump: The Art of the Deal*. His biography is inextricably linked to the book he now calls his "greatest regret."

• Full Name: Tony Schwartz
• Born: 1952
• Occupation: Journalist, Author, Corporate Speaker, CEO of The Energy Project (formerly)
• Key Book: *Trump: The Art of the Deal* (1987)
• Role in *The Art of the Deal*: Ghostwriter (credited as co-author)
• Time Spent with Trump: Approximately 18 months, spending hundreds of hours interviewing and shadowing him.
• Famous Quote: "I put lipstick on a pig."
• Current Stance: Fierce critic of Donald Trump, dedicating his time and royalties to counter his influence.
• Other Works: *What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America* (1995), *The Power of Full Engagement* (2003, with Jim Loehr).

Schwartz, a former writer for *New York* magazine, was initially approached by Trump to write the book. The deal was struck: an advance of $250,000 and half of the book’s royalties, with Schwartz doing nearly all the writing. The book became a massive success, selling over a million copies and establishing the 'brash, deal-making' persona that became Trump's public brand.

The Profound Remorse: Why Schwartz Calls It His "Greatest Regret"

The central theme of Tony Schwartz's public life since 2016 has been his deep and abiding remorse over his role in writing *The Art of the Deal*. He has repeatedly stated that he feels personally responsible for helping to create a figure he now views as a profound danger to the country.

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The "Putting Lipstick on a Pig" Confession

Schwartz has famously described his role in the book as "putting lipstick on a pig." This vivid phrase encapsulates his feeling that he polished and romanticized a subject whom he found to be deeply flawed, insecure, and lacking in genuine substance. He spent 18 months observing Trump and concluded that the man was incapable of focusing for long periods, lacked curiosity, and that his primary mode of operation was self-aggrandizement.

The Ethical Dilemma of Ghostwriting

The controversy surrounding *The Art of the Deal* has reignited a critical debate on ghostwriting ethics. While ghostwriting is common in the publishing industry, Schwartz’s situation highlights the moral hazard when the ghostwriter believes the "author" is fundamentally misrepresenting themselves.

• The Allegation of Fabrication: Schwartz and the book's original publisher, Howard Kaminsky, have both alleged that Trump did not write a single word of the book.
• The Moral Cost: Schwartz admitted he minimized Trump’s negative qualities to make the book a success, prioritizing financial reward over journalistic integrity. This is the source of his enduring regret.
• The Cultivation of a Myth: The book didn't just document Trump's life; it created the "origin story" of the invincible, brash New York real estate mogul, a narrative that proved crucial to his political rise.

Schwartz’s 2025 Warnings: A Critical Political Voice

With the political landscape continuously evolving, Tony Schwartz has leveraged his platform to issue urgent and dire warnings about the subject of his most famous work. His statements, particularly those made in late 2024 and into 2025, are based on his intimate knowledge of Trump’s personality and behavior.

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1. Fear of an "Authoritarian Leader"

In recent interviews, Schwartz has repeatedly characterized Donald Trump as "immensely dangerous" and predicted that a second term would result in him becoming an "authoritarian leader." He argues that the lessons he learned while writing the book—that Trump operates with a profound lack of empathy and a need for total control—are now playing out on the national stage.

2. Commentary on Mental State and Remorse

Schwartz has gone on record to suggest that Trump has "lost a great deal mentally" since he last worked with him. He also maintains a long-held belief that Trump is "not capable of remorse," a core trait that he observed during their 18 months together. This inability to feel regret is, in Schwartz's view, what makes his political ambitions so perilous.

3. The Royalties and the Fight Against the Myth

In a powerful act of protest, Schwartz has committed to donating all his ongoing royalties from *The Art of the Deal* to charities and organizations dedicated to undermining Donald Trump’s political agenda and promoting democratic values. This move is his attempt to financially and morally distance himself from the book's success. The Trump Organization, in turn, has previously demanded that Schwartz forfeit his royalties or face legal action, dismissing his comments as "sour grapes."

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4. Endorsing the New Bio-Pic *The Apprentice*

The release of the bio-pic *The Apprentice*, which details the early life of Trump and his relationship with his mentor, Roy Cohn, has drawn comment from Schwartz. He has stated that the film, which features his role in writing the book, gets the "most important things" right about Trump's character and his rise to power. His endorsement adds a layer of authenticity to the film's portrayal of the future president.

5. The Sociopath Label

While discussing the 2024 election, Schwartz has used the term "sociopath" to describe Trump’s behavior, particularly in the context of his political ambition and disregard for democratic norms. This is part of his broader effort to warn the public that the man presented in *The Art of the Deal* is a fictionalized, sanitized version of a deeply narcissistic and self-absorbed individual.

The enduring saga of *The Art of the Deal* ghostwriter is a powerful illustration of the consequences of narrative creation. Tony Schwartz's journey from co-author to chief critic serves as a continuous, real-time commentary on the man whose public image he helped forge, ensuring that the book's legacy remains a complex blend of business success and ethical failure.