Trumpy Trump, Melbourne Property & You

Saturday, April 5th, 2025

Making sense of bold noise, quiet nerves, and the middle path through the current Trump. Lots of extra Easter Reading below – Hiking, Men’s Anger, Philanthropy, Buy Selling over $50m, Domain series on Tips and Tricks for 1st home /next home buyers. Have a great break!

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🥂 Life, Reflections & Real Estate (with a Side of Wedding Cake)

With my eldest — and only — son’s wedding coming up next weekend, a short-notice Tassie hike along the Overland the week after (yes, two weeks ago planned), and Easter on top of it all, I’ve found myself with a little unexpected space to reflect.

Life, right now, feels interesting. Meaningful. Solid.
Not perfect — but good.

And oddly enough, a lot of that thinking started with… Trumpy Trump.

🎺 Enter: The Trumpster

Love him, loathe him, or laugh at him — you can’t ignore Donald Trump.

And while I don’t agree with him on a lot (trust me), I do admire one thing:

His ability to act, generate noise, and make people think.

That noise is unsettling a few people lately — and I’ve seen it reflected not just in the stockmarket drops, but in the housing market’s eerie stillness over the past month. People aren’t panicking… but they’re hesitating. Watching. Waiting.

📍 Melbourne, April 1st — Day with a Legend (Sort Of)

So, with the help of my ChatGPT friends (in a Q&A format below) — and some creative license — Donald flew out to Melbourne to give me some advice on April the 1st.

We shared a few hours:

Walking the Brighton shoreline.
Debating Melbourne Property over coffee in Toorak and lunch at Hawthorn.
Going to the footy
And trying to understand each other — him, bold and loud; me, listening — on how we could help you, the buyer or seller, make better decisions in a strange, uncertain market.

🤝 What We Agreed On (Surprisingly)

• Know What You Want — Or the Market Will Decide for You

Trump says: “Think big.”

I say: “Think clearly.”

If you don’t define your reason for buying or selling — family, downsizing, lifestyle, freedom — then clearance rates and auction chatter will do it for you (and that may not be a good thing).

Don’t let FOMO drive your life. Know what you value.

• Act Boldly — But With Your Compass Pointing North

Trump: “Trust your gut.”

Me: “Also bring a map.”

Momentum matters. But so does your wellbeing. A calm deal is often a better one. You don’t have to crush the other side to walk away satisfied.

• The Market Isn’t the Story — You Are

It’s tempting to obsess over what the News says this weekend.

But what if — just maybe — the most important thing right now isn’t the market?

What if it’s your peace? Your next season of life? Your long-term story?

Some Background

Q&A ChatGPT: In Trump’s Books The Art of the Deal and Think Big and Kick Ass what are his 3 key points on how to live a life?

💭 1. Think Big and Bold

From both books, this is Trump’s #1 rule. He believes most people aim too low, and that fear of failure keeps them small. To him, thinking big is not just about ambition — it’s a way of life.

“If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”
— The Art of the Deal

💪 2. Be Relentless and Tough

Life, business, and relationships are all competitive arenas in Trump’s worldview. He emphasizes fighting for what you want, trusting your instincts, and not being afraid to offend or confront.

“When somebody hurts you, just go after them as viciously and as violently as you can.”
— Think Big and Kick Ass

🎯 3. Play to Win, Not to Be Liked

Trump values results over approval. Both books stress that being nice won’t make you successful — being effective will. He encourages people to focus on winning, making smart deals, and staying focused on outcomes.

“I wasn’t out to be a nice guy—this was business.”
— The Art of the Deal

What is Trump’s definition of Winning?

🏆 4. Getting the Best Deal

In The Art of the Deal, winning is about negotiating outcomes where you come out ahead — financially, strategically, or publicly.

“I don’t do it for the money. I’ve got enough, much more than I’ll ever need. I do it to do it. Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully or write poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That’s how I get my kicks.”

💪 5. Beating the Competition

In Think Big and Kick Ass, Trump frames winning as beating others — sometimes brutally. It’s not just about success, but about dominating rivals and proving superiority.

“You have to be a killer. You have to have the killer instinct. That’s how you win.”

🧠 6. Refusing to Lose or Quit

Trump often says that losers quit or make excuses. To him, winning is tied to persistence — never backing down, never giving in, even when you’re losing temporarily.

“Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war.”
— The Art of the Deal

🧲 7. Creating Momentum and Power

Trump also sees winning as a way to build power and influence. Once you’re seen as a winner, more opportunities flow to you. Winning becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“People want to be around winners. Show them you’re a winner, and you’ll attract people, money, and deals.”

So, in essence, Trump’s definition of winning is:

Getting what you want, proving you’re better than the competition, never backing down, and doing it all big.

From all of Trump’s books and speeches what is it that Donald wants?

🏛️ 8. To Win — and Be Seen Winning

At his core, Trump wants to win. Not just quietly succeed — but win loudly and visibly. He wants victory with recognition. Whether it’s in business, politics, media, or life, he values being seen as the dominant figure.

“I like thinking big. If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”
— The Art of the Deal

He doesn’t just want to win — he wants to be known as the winner.

👑 9. Respect, Power, and Legacy

Trump craves respect and admiration, especially from the public and from elite circles that may have dismissed him. His run for President wasn’t just political — it was a move to cement legacy and reshape how he’d be remembered.

“The point is, you can’t be too greedy.”
— a quote often misunderstood, but it captures his unapologetic drive for more — more power, more attention, more impact.

In speeches, he often returns to ideas of “restoring greatness,” “being number one,” and “reclaiming respect.”

🇺🇸 10. To Be the Ultimate Deal-Maker and Savior of America

His image of himself is larger than life: the man who can fix the unfixable. He wants to be the one who says “Only I can do it” — and then delivers. His presidency was presented as the ultimate deal — trading chaos and dysfunction for strength and order.

“We will make America strong again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And we will make America great again.”

It’s not just patriotism — it’s personal. He wants to be the face of America’s comeback story.

🧱 11. Control of His Own Narrative

Perhaps more than anything, Trump wants control — over the deal, the room, the media, and the story. He constantly battles being defined by others. His books, rallies, tweets, and Truth Social posts are all about shaping how the world sees him.

“You have to control your brand. No one else will do it for you.”

🔥 In Summary:

Donald Trump wants to win, to be admired, to be remembered as a historic leader, and to control his destiny. He wants to be the ultimate example of bold success — in business, politics, and life.

In reading marketnews.com.au since 2006, what are Mal James’s 3 key points on how to live a life

Mal James, a prominent figure in Melbourne’s real estate market and the founder of James Buy Sell, articulates his personal philosophy on life through his writings and professional ethos. His approach can be distilled into three key principles:

Make a Positive Difference by Helping Others
Mal emphasizes the importance of contributing positively to the lives of others, aiming to assist and support people in meaningful ways. This principle reflects his commitment to making a beneficial impact within his community and professional interactions.

Treat Others as You Would Want to Be Treated
He advocates for the ‘Golden Rule’—engaging with others with the same respect and fairness one would desire for oneself and one’s family. This approach underscores the value he places on empathy and ethical conduct in all relationships.

Maintain Balance, Follow a Middle Path, and Enjoy Life
Mal believes in leading a balanced life, avoiding extremes, and ensuring that one’s pursuits include enjoyment and fulfillment. He encourages a harmonious approach that integrates professional ambitions with personal well-being and happiness.

These guiding principles not only shape Mal James’s personal life but also influence his professional practices, reflecting a holistic approach to living and working.

So how does Mal James and Donald Trump’s 3 key points on how to live a life differ

🔹 Outlook on Success and Winning

Donald Trump:

“Win at all costs.”
Life is a competition. Success = power, domination, public recognition.
Think big, take risks, crush the competition.

Mal James:

“Make a positive difference.”
Success = meaningful help, improving others’ lives.
Less about ego, more about contribution and doing good.

➤ Difference: Trump is outcome-focused and competitive. James is values-focused and collaborative.

🔹 How to Treat Others

Donald Trump:

Be tough. Trust no one.
“When people wrong you, hit them hard.”
Winning matters more than being liked.

Mal James:

Treat people how you’d want your family treated.
Operate with fairness, empathy, and respect.
Human relationships are central.

➤ Difference: Trump leans toward conflict and leverage; James leans toward trust and mutual respect.

🔹 Life Philosophy

Donald Trump:

Control the narrative. Be relentless. Life is a battle.
Momentum and dominance build success.

Mal James:

Seek balance. Enjoy the ride. Avoid extremes.
Live a whole life, not just a successful one.

➤ Difference: Trump is aggressive and driven by legacy and visibility. James is calm, measured, and driven by meaning / peace of mind.

🎯 Summary Table

Theme	Donald Trump	Mal James
Purpose	Win, dominate, control	Help, uplift, live ethically
People	Use leverage, be tough	Treat others like family
Philosophy	Life is a high-stakes game	Life is a balanced journey

Assuming both men are happy and living their lives successfully, what are the 3 key combined pieces of advice you would give to those who are a little unsettled by the world currently, in their pursuit of making good decisions in buying or selling Melbourne Property

🔑 Know What You Want — And Don’t Apologise For It

Trump says: “Think Big.”
Mal says: “Think Clearly.”

Combined Advice: If you don’t know what you’re buying for — lifestyle, family, freedom, peace of mind — then you’re reacting to noise. Make your decision the main game, not the market. And once you know what matters, don’t flinch.

🤝 Be Smart, But Be Decent

Trump says: “Leverage everything.”
Mal says: “Treat people like family.”

Combined Advice: The deal matters — but how you get there matters more. You don’t need to crush the other side to get a fair result. Respect gets returned in unexpected ways — often through better terms, a smoother process, and less stress at 3am when your head won’t stop spinning.

🌱 Play the Long Game — For Your Wallet and Your Wellbeing

Trump plays to win.
Mal plays for balance, stability, and quiet joy.

Combined Advice: Melbourne real estate is a long game. Your peace, your space, your next chapter — that’s the real “win.” Buy a home that supports the next version of your life — not just your balance sheet.

Combined Advice:

Buy/sell with strength, negotiate with fairness, and live with the kind of peace that no market cycle can take from you.

🪑 Final handshake as Donald filled me in on some more life advice

Donald flew back for his tariff speech and now I’ve got a wedding to toast and boots to pack for Tassie.

And you over this Easter break?

You’ve possibly got decisions to make — possibly big ones.

But you’ve also got time. Space. People who’ll help.

And if all else fails — ask yourself this:

Am I acting from noise… or clarity? From fear… or purpose?

That will tell you the kind of deal worth making.

I thank my guest who wears a red tie, for we can all learn off each other and if we truly do, then the fear/indecision diminishes.

HAMPTON

Sandringham

Canterbury

COMING TO MARKET IN MAY: $4m to $4.4m

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