1995 Interview Reveals Donald Trump's Business Acumen and Political Leanings Under Roger Ailes' Scrutiny

A recently resurfaced 1995 interview between then-real estate mogul Donald Trump and television executive Roger Ailes on America's Talking Network offers a rare glimpse into Trump's mindset and public persona years before his political career. The conversation, which took place in November 1995 on Ailes' show "Straight Forward," covered a range of topics from Trump's business ventures and financial recovery to his early political opinions and personal philosophy.

During the interview, Trump discussed the resurgence of his real estate empire, highlighting projects like the Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle and the continued success of Trump Tower. He also lauded the performance of his Atlantic City casinos, particularly the Trump Taj Mahal, which he claimed was "setting every record" and doing more business than the entire Las Vegas Strip. Trump reflected on overcoming significant financial difficulties, stating, "I went through probably two and a half, three years of really tough time and now we're having the best year we've ever had."

The discussion also touched upon Trump's views on the economy and politics. He criticized the 1986 tax law as "the dumbest tax law" that "destroyed banks, real estate, everything." On the political front, Trump expressed support for Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole and advocated for a tougher stance in international trade, particularly with Japan. He suggested that the U.S. government should be "far more respected" by taking a "much tougher stand" in negotiations.

Roger Ailes, a former Republican political consultant, was at the helm of America's Talking Network, a precursor to MSNBC, at the time of the interview. Ailes would later go on to found Fox News Channel in 1996, a network that would become a significant platform for conservative voices and, much later, a key media outlet during Trump's presidency. The interview underscored Ailes's role in shaping political discourse on television and provided an early platform for Trump to articulate his views to a broader audience.