The Cost: Trump, China, and American Revival

To have this book released one week before our next National Election, could be beacon for those still undecided. As for others, its a clear and rather concise summary of the Trump presidency, from a mostly business perspective.

Maria Bartiromo and partner James Freeman, begin the book by clearly showing our 45th President is not part of the Washington political establishment. He rankles the swamp, media and his own party from day one, but fights tirelessly to fulfill campaign promises.

Chapter 2 is perhaps the most stark. After a no holds barred discussion of the Russian Hoax debacle, theres a 12 page outline of day-by-day, key events that boils the three years down to prosecutable packages. The Department of Justice has some serious issues.

Other topics covered include: revitalization of business, tax cuts and over haul, our relationship with China, (2 full chapters plus lots more), Trumps impact on the media and them on him, the COVID crisis, Biden/Bernie – economics and what the future hold.

As I mentioned earlier, much of this is presented from a business stand point. Theres not a lot left for interpretation as there are facts; how refreshing! Dollars, percentages, real impacts to real people on lives that matter. Of course, money is not all that matters but at least its one thing that can be checked and balanced, to some degree. It can also be followed when a trail is needed. The discussion on Bidens economic plan and Bernies influences is 8 pages everyone should read VERY carefully.

Not much financial mumbo jumbo to ponder with this one, Bartiromo & Freeman have compiled an highly approachable and thoughtful book. Documentation comes from a variety of sources, not a single slant or company, lending to the veracity of its content. Its well written, easy to read and professionally published. For this reader, its high time we rise up and count The Cost

Excellent analysis over the past few years and explanation of the critical implications of our relationship with China, going forward. Documents how the US economy achieved unprecedented heights in the first 3 years of the Trump presidency and how it can be revived in 2021 and beyond. Her partnership w James Freeman has produced a must read book for both investors and anyone in the US workforce.

After an appalling introduction where it felt like I was reading Kipling’s “White Man’s Burden” all over again (only instead of only white, this time it’s generally ‘Americans’ and Republican Americans at that) crossed over with cult rhetoric about the superiority of Americans over the entire world, we are forced to wade through (again and again) a Trump apologist’s check lisk for why he is not a ‘russian asset’. Something that is completely irrelevant to what the book claims to tackle: Sino-American relations during the time of Trump.

The references are also laughably biased, and in choice passages where opinions are presented as facts, they are missing, implying that they couldn’t find support for their claims even in their own side’s content.

The only thing that is interesting is the chapter that actually IS about China post-WWII and the trade/diplomatic relations it has had over time with the USA. But the rest of the book is so biased and even phrenetic in its effort to advocate for a Trump re-election that I feel compelled to fact check even the history review therein.

Two stars ONLY for the history bits. All the rest is at best tedious, at worst painfully boring or indirectly unreliable to take into account, since the other side’s arguments are never actually presented and objectivity has gone out the window by page ten, where Trump is presented as God’s gift to the world.

Perfectly titled “The Cost”, a fantastic book written by two highly respected journalist!

A good, worthwhile quick read.

We are reminded the President delivered on most of his campaign promises despite relentless attacks from many of the establishment. As other reviewers mentioned, the President entered office as an outsider and it is clear he was never going to be part of the “Club”.

The chapters on business and tax cuts are important reads and demonstrate the power and benefits of the US economy when it is allowed to perform. While the President’s efforts to push back on China were critical and at odds with establishment consensus. It needed to be done.

A very good perspective of many of the accomplishments and challenges faced by this Administration.

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