In the heated arena of the U.S. presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris has been making waves with her pointed critiques of former President Donald Trump’s business history. During a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 12, Harris unveiled her proposal for a $50,000 tax deduction aimed at small business startups. She then took a direct jab at Trump, asserting, “You know, not everybody started out with $400m on a silver platter and then filed for bankruptcy six times.”
Harris’s remarks have sparked a flurry of fact-checking, with many turning to a recent article from Al Jazeera that delves into the veracity of these claims. The article references a comprehensive 2018 analysis by The New York Times, revealing that Trump did indeed receive approximately $413 million from his father, Fred Trump, over his lifetime. However, this sum was not a single lump sum at the start of his career but rather dispersed over many years.
During a recent debate, Trump countered Harris’s claims, stating, “I wasn’t given $400m. I wish I was. My father was a Brooklyn builder. Brooklyn, Queens. And a great father, and I learned a lot from him. But I was given a fraction of that, a tiny fraction, and I built it into many, many billions of dollars.” The debate further intensified when Harris reiterated her points in a conversation hosted by Oprah Winfrey.
The Al Jazeera article also examines the claim of Trump’s six bankruptcies, confirming its accuracy. Trump’s financial struggles included high-profile bankruptcies such as the Trump Taj Mahal casino in 1991 and Trump Entertainment Resorts in 2009, among others. Experts have noted that while Trump did experience these financial setbacks, they are not uncommon in the business world.
Our Ruling
While Harris’s statement about Trump’s business beginnings contains elements of truth, it omits significant details. The New York Times investigation clarifies that Trump did not start his business career with $400 million readily available. Instead, he had the prospect of inheriting a portion of his father’s substantial real estate empire. This nuanced reality leads us to rate Harris’s statement as Half True.
Conclusion
As the presidential race progresses, the scrutiny of candidates’ claims remains crucial. Harris’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about wealth and privilege in America, while Trump’s rebuttal underscores the complexities of his business legacy. The full story, as always, is layered and multifaceted.
More Articles
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
The average 30-year mortgage rate slipped to 6.18% just before Christmas, offering a small break from last year’s higher levels. Yet despite the improvement, mortgage applications for purchases and refinances have fallen to a three‑month low as buyers remain cautious. With mixed rate movements, fluctuating Treasury yields, and affordability challenges still weighing on first‑time buyers, the market is showing signs of stability but not momentum. Real estate professionals who stay informed on these shifting conditions will be best positioned to guide clients in 2026.
New CoStar data shows a widening split in the U.S. commercial real estate market, with high-value office towers, industrial hubs and major retail assets posting steady gains while smaller properties in secondary markets continue to lose ground. Premium assets logged their sixth straight monthly price increase in November, boosted by falling interest rates and limited new construction, while lower‑tier properties saw continued price declines and weakening demand.
Microsoft has eliminated long‑standing volume discounts on cloud services like Microsoft 365, Power BI, Intune and Defender, meaning healthcare organizations will soon pay the same price per seat whether they purchase 100 or 10,000 licenses. With the change taking effect at renewal, hospitals and health systems must begin auditing unused licenses, right‑sizing staff tiers, and re‑evaluating digital workflows to avoid major cost spikes. CDW is stepping in with advisory support, cost‑optimization tools, and flexible CSP options to help organizations navigate the transition before budgets tighten further.
America is still short nearly 2.8 million homes, and in 2026 the states driving the bulk of new construction are once again Florida and Texas. With the South producing more than half of all new building permits nationwide, these regions are shaping the future of inventory, affordability, and opportunity. For real estate, mortgage, insurance, and finance professionals, the surge in Southern homebuilding—especially in Florida—signals expanding career potential as new inventory enters the market and demand for licensed experts continues to rise.
A new Redfin report crowns Irondequoit, New York as the nation’s most competitive housing market, with homes selling in just 8.5 days and often above asking. Priced at a median of $249,132, the lakeside suburb is drawing buyers seeking affordability and speed. The surprising lineup of competing markets—from Bay Area tech hubs to Rust Belt metros—highlights a shifting post‑pandemic housing landscape where affordability pressures and regional disparities continue to shape buyer behavior.
Alaska has overhauled its Third Party Administrator licensing rules, eliminating major long‑standing exemptions and pulling many previously exempt organizations into full licensing requirements starting January 1, 2026. Under Senate Bill 132 and Bulletin B 25‑09, TPAs must now review their operations, prepare documentation, and monitor upcoming state guidance as Alaska moves toward stricter oversight and stronger consumer protection.
