The America We Deserve by Donald Trump Summary

The America We Deserve is Donald Trump's 2000 political manifesto outlining his vision for America's future. Written when he first considered running for president, the book presents policy proposals on foreign relations, education reform, taxation, immigration, business regulations, and national security. Trump advocates for core Republican principles including self-reliance, limited governance, economic growth, and equitable taxation, while proposing a dramatic one-time tax on the super-wealthy to eliminate national debt.

The America We Deserve was written by Donald J. Trump and co-authored with veteran journalist Dave Shiflett. Published in 2000 when the Reform Party was recruiting Trump as a presidential candidate, the book represents Trump's early political thinking before his 2016 campaign. This collaboration combined Trump's business perspective and political vision with Shiflett's journalistic expertise to create a comprehensive policy platform.

The America We Deserve is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand Donald Trump's core political ideology and policy foundations. The book appeals to Trump supporters seeking insight into his consistency from 2000 to his presidency, political analysts studying his evolution, voters from both parties interested in his stance on key issues, and readers curious about how Trump transitioned from businessman to president.

The America We Deserve offers value for understanding Trump's political framework, as it demonstrates remarkable consistency between his 2000 proposals and his 2016 campaign positions. Readers discover detailed policy plans rather than just rhetoric, covering healthcare, campaign reform, military defense, and economic growth. However, perspectives vary—some readers praise its substantive policy content while critics dismiss it as ghost-written and lacking depth. The book's pre-9/11 context also requires consideration when evaluating its relevance.

The America We Deserve centers on several core principles: reducing business regulations to stimulate job creation and economic growth, implementing a one-time wealth tax on the super-rich to close national debt while cutting middle-class taxes, and strengthening national defense. Trump emphasizes education reform through school competition, addressing immigration and crime for safer communities, and pursuing an America-first foreign policy that questions taxpayer spending on international interventions. The book also stresses self-reliance, limited government, and populist solutions to systemic problems.

In The America We Deserve, Donald Trump proposes a dramatic one-time 14.25% tax on Americans worth $10 million or more to generate revenue for closing the national debt. This wealth tax would then enable substantial tax cuts for middle-class Americans, reflecting Trump's vision of equitable taxation. The proposal represents a striking difference from his later presidential tax policies, showcasing how his economic thinking evolved between 2000 and his presidency.

The America We Deserve details Trump's views on relations with China, Russia, North Korea, and Israel, emphasizing an America-first approach. Trump questions U.S. taxpayer dollars funding international interventions where American interests aren't directly served. Notably, the book mentions Osama bin Laden as a threat to America years before 9/11, demonstrating Trump's early focus on terrorism. His foreign policy framework prioritizes national security, strategic alliances, and protecting American economic interests over global interventionism.

The America We Deserve reveals striking similarities to Trump's 2016 campaign, with virtually all major campaign topics—immigration, healthcare, tax cuts, military defense, and campaign reform—detailed in the 2000 book. This demonstrates both consistency and an intellectual framework behind his rhetoric, contradicting claims that his campaign lacked policy substance. However, notable differences exist, such as his 2000 support for single-payer healthcare versus later opposition. The book proves Trump maintained core political beliefs for over 15 years before running.

In The America We Deserve, Donald Trump identifies fixing America's "broken and underperforming education system" as a top priority. He advocates for school competition and choice to elevate educational quality, arguing that competition drives excellence. Trump emphasizes that educating children should be the nation's highest priority and that introducing market-driven competition would transform schools into top-rate institutions. His education philosophy aligns with Republican principles of reduced government control and increased parental choice.

Critics of The America We Deserve describe it as "empty," "vacuous," and "ghost-written" despite being co-authored with journalist Dave Shiflett. Some readers criticize the book as "drolling drivel" lacking genuine substance. Detractors point to name-dropping of diverse political figures and question the sincerity of Trump's policy proposals. Additionally, because the book was written pre-9/11, some policy positions became outdated after the terrorist attacks fundamentally shifted American security priorities. Reviewers also note occasional bitterness and smugness in tone.

The America We Deserve was published in 2000 when the Reform Party was actively recruiting Donald Trump as their presidential candidate, though he ultimately declined. The timing is significant because it represents a pre-9/11 policy platform, written before the terrorist attacks that fundamentally changed American politics and security priorities. Understanding this context is essential for readers, as Trump himself acknowledged that 9/11 was "a shake-up for us all". The book captures Trump's political thinking 16 years before his successful 2016 presidential campaign.

The America We Deserve addresses immigration, crime, and terrorism as interconnected national security concerns requiring strong action. Trump emphasizes Americans' right to safe streets and secure borders, themes that became central to his 2016 campaign. While specific immigration proposals aren't detailed in available excerpts, readers note his consistent message about protecting American communities through stricter enforcement and border security. The book's treatment of these issues demonstrates the continuity of Trump's "law and order" messaging from 2000 through his presidency.