Summary

In Chapter 9, “Polish Brigade,” Trump planned to build Trump Tower on the property that had been occupied by Bonwitt Teller, an upscale department store that had been in business for decades. The front of the building had what Johnston called “priceless examples of the Art Deco era: two naked women with flowing scarves, dancers perhaps, cut in limestone” (Location 906). When Trump made plans to demolish the building, he agreed to save specific pieces of the facade, if it was economically feasible. Those pieces disappeared and Trump offered several explanations, including that the cost was prohibitive and that the pieces were actually worthless, despite other opinions to the contrary.

In addition, Trump used Polish workers rather than a union contractor for the demolition. Some of these workers were illegal immigrants and they worked without basic safety equipment, including hard hats. Trump was later embroiled...