Does telling truth matter to Trump?

By Michael D'Antonio
5 minute read
Updated 10:17 PM EST, Tue November 10, 2015
President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.
President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.
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Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.
Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.
Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.
Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.
Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library
Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.
Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.
Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library
Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.
Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.
NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.
Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.
Fred W. McDarrah/Getty Images
Trump wears a hard hat at the Trump Tower construction site in New York in 1980.
Trump wears a hard hat at the Trump Tower construction site in New York in 1980.
Ted Horowitz/Getty Images
Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
SWERZEY/AFP/Getty Images
The Trump family, circa 1986.
The Trump family, circa 1986.
Norman Parkinson Archive/Corbis/Getty Images
Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.
Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.
Joe McNally/Getty Images
Trump stands in the atrium of the Trump Tower.
Trump stands in the atrium of the Trump Tower.
Ted Thai/Getty Images
Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.
Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.
Leif Skoogfors/Getty Images
Trump signs his second book, "Trump: Surviving at the Top," in 1990. Trump <a href="http://www.trump.com/publications/" target="_blank" target="_blank">has published</a> at least 16 other books, including "The Art of the Deal" and "The America We Deserve."
Trump signs his second book, "Trump: Surviving at the Top," in 1990. Trump has published at least 16 other books, including "The Art of the Deal" and "The America We Deserve."
Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.
Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.
Donna Connor/Getty Images
Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.
Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.
AFP/Getty Images
Trump putts a golf ball in his New York office in 1998.
Trump putts a golf ball in his New York office in 1998.
Simon Bruty/Getty Images
An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."
An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."
Getty Images
A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.
A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.
Getty Images
Trump attends a news conference in 2005 that announced the establishment of Trump University. From 2005 until it closed in 2010, Trump University had about 10,000 people sign up for a program that promised success in real estate. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/03/08/news/trump-university-controversy-donald-trump/" target="_blank">Three separate lawsuits</a> -- two class-action suits filed in California and one filed by New York's attorney general -- argued that the program was mired in fraud and deception. Trump's camp rejected the suits' claims as "baseless." And Trump has charged that the New York case against him is politically motivated.
Trump attends a news conference in 2005 that announced the establishment of Trump University. From 2005 until it closed in 2010, Trump University had about 10,000 people sign up for a program that promised success in real estate. Three separate lawsuits -- two class-action suits filed in California and one filed by New York's attorney general -- argued that the program was mired in fraud and deception. Trump's camp rejected the suits' claims as "baseless." And Trump has charged that the New York case against him is politically motivated.
Bebeto Matthews/AP
Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.
Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.
AFP/Getty Images
Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.
Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.
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For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.
For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.
Getty Images
Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.
Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.
NBCUniversal/NBC/Getty Images
Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.
Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.
D Dipasupil/WireImage/Getty Images
In 2012, Trump announces his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
In 2012, Trump announces his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
AFP/Getty Images
Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.
Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.
Getty Images
Trump appears on stage with singer Nick Jonas and television personality Giuliana Rancic during the 2013 Miss USA pageant.
Trump appears on stage with singer Nick Jonas and television personality Giuliana Rancic during the 2013 Miss USA pageant.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
In June 2015, during a speech from Trump Tower, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/16/politics/donald-trump-2016-announcement-elections/" target="_blank">Trump announced that he was running for President.</a> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/28/politics/donald-trump-the-apprentice-presidential-campaign/" target="_blank">He said he would give up</a> "The Apprentice" to run.
In June 2015, during a speech from Trump Tower, Trump announced that he was running for President. He said he would give up "The Apprentice" to run.
Christopher Gregory/Getty Images
Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.
Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.
Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images
The Trump family poses for a photo in New York in April.
The Trump family poses for a photo in New York in April.
Nancy Borowick for CNN
Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.
Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.
Bloomberg/Getty Images
Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."
Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."
John Moore/Getty Images
Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/26/politics/gallery/first-presidential-debate/index.html" target="_blank">the first presidential debate, </a>which took place in Hempstead, New York, in September.
Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate, which took place in Hempstead, New York, in September.
Pool/Getty Images
Trump apologizes in a video, posted to his Twitter account in October, for vulgar and sexually aggressive remarks he made a decade ago regarding women. "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize," <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/07/politics/donald-trump-women-vulgar/index.html" target="_blank">Trump said,</a> referring to lewd comments he made during a previously unaired taping of "Access Hollywood." Multiple Republican leaders rescinded their endorsements of Trump after the footage was released.
Trump apologizes in a video, posted to his Twitter account in October, for vulgar and sexually aggressive remarks he made a decade ago regarding women. "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize," Trump said, referring to lewd comments he made during a previously unaired taping of "Access Hollywood." Multiple Republican leaders rescinded their endorsements of Trump after the footage was released.
Donald Trump/Twitter
Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.
Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.
Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.
Mary Calvert for CNN
Donald Trump's rise

Editor’s Note: Michael D’Antonio is the author of the new book “Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success” (St. Martin’s Press). The opinions expressed in this commentary are his.

Story highlights

Michael D'Antonio: Trump slams Carson's veracity, but Trump has long history of embellishing, making up stories

For example, he denied bankruptcy, said wife was Olympic skier, spread false Obama rumors

Does Trump think candidates should tell the truth?

CNN  —