Fact check: Did Donald Trump actually write "The Art of the Deal" because I recall reading he hired someone to write it

1. Summary of the results

Your recollection is absolutely correct. Donald Trump did not actually write "The Art of the Deal" - Tony Schwartz was the ghostwriter who authored the book ^{[1] [2]}. The evidence shows that Trump had very little involvement in the actual writing process, often struggling to provide sustained and thoughtful reflections during interviews with Schwartz ^[1].

Tony Schwartz has publicly confirmed his role as the ghostwriter and has expressed significant regret about his involvement in the project. He has stated that writing "The Art of the Deal" is "the greatest regret of his life" ^[2] and has gone so far as to suggest the book should be renamed "The Sociopath" and recategorized as fiction ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual elements:

• Financial implications: Schwartz has been donating several hundred thousand dollars from his book royalties to causes that Trump would despise ^{[4] [5]}, demonstrating his genuine remorse about contributing to Trump's public image.
• Schwartz's current assessment: The ghostwriter has made recent statements suggesting Trump has "lost a great deal mentally" and is no longer capable of inspiring enthusiasm ^[5], providing insight into his evolving perspective on his former collaborator.
• Moral responsibility: Schwartz has acknowledged that he knew Trump was a "bad guy" even when he wrote the book ^[2], raising questions about the ethical implications of ghostwriting for public figures.
• Publishing industry practices: This case highlights the common but often undisclosed practice of ghostwriting in celebrity and business book publishing, where the credited author may have minimal involvement in the actual writing process.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains no misinformation or bias - it accurately reflects the reality of the book's authorship. In fact, the question demonstrates good critical thinking by questioning the official narrative and seeking verification of what many people assume to be true.

The real misinformation exists in the public perception and marketing of "The Art of the Deal" as Trump's own work, when multiple sources confirm that Tony Schwartz was the actual author ^{[1] [2] [3]}. This misrepresentation has allowed Trump to benefit from the book's success and reputation without having done the intellectual work of writing it.