Trump University Was A Scam, Say Former Students

Time ^ | Aug. 26, 2015 | Ethan Wolff-Mann @ewolffmann

[SmokingJoe]

People say they paid $35,000 for next to nothing.

Do you remember Trump University? Probably not — it didn’t really catch on.

And one big reason it didn’t catch on is because it was a total scam, say a slew of former students in complaints that were filed to the Federal Trade Commission and were recently unearthed by a Freedom of Information Act recently requested by Gizmodo.

“For my $35,000+ all I got was books that I could have gotten from the library that could guide me better then Trump’s class did. I just want my $35,000+ money back. I feel embarrass[ed],” reads one complaint.

Another grievance describes a level-unlocking strategy reminiscent of Scientology. After paying $1,495 for a three-day seminar, which provided information freely available on Zillow, “attendees were told that unless they purchased additional products (software; individual coaching) they would not succeed,” the complaint states.

Another former “student,” who purchased the $34,995 “Gold Elite” package after the $1,495 seminar under the promise of mentorship, calls the program “an absolute, utter waste.”

It is not only former students who have called into question the legitimacy of Trump University, which was founded in 2005. The New York Department of Education sent Trump a letter in 2010, accusing the operation of misleading students and misuse of the word “university.” Soon thereafter, the operation was renamed the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative.

In 2013, the New York Attorney General’s office filed a $40 million lawsuit against the former reality star and current Republican presidential candidate for failing to impart the promised real estate education on 5,000 students and subjecting prospective students to high-pressure sales tactics.

[SmokingJoe]

Same old Trump. Still selling snake oil. This time though,the very existence of our country as we know it, is at stake. Do not make the mistake of handing the country over to a slick con man who is in bed with the mob.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

It was in Time, so it must be true!

[FrankR]

Caveat emptor

[TigerClaws]

Another paid Cruz poster?

[HoosierWordsmith]

But, but, Phineas T. Trump said Ted Cruz is the liar! I’m confused....

[Leaning Right]

Full disclosure, I'm pro-Trump. But this Trump University thing is a blot on his record. I know, buyer beware and all that, but since Trump is now running for public office he needs to explain this.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The Washington Compost did the same thing with Kaplan University, getting dumb 18-year olds to bury themselves in student loans that they handed over to them.

It was the only profit center they had.

[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

Apparently a good number of those same students involved in the suit are also claiming they support Trump for President.

That’s why this story died in August, although resurrected by Smoking Joe who is probably trolling through the internet in search of anti-Trump articles.

[Tzfat]

Yes, I remember this scam.

[House Atreides]

CAVEAT EMPTOR

This TRUMP product his customers were buying was “as is”, or subject to all defects that may exist.

The same thing applies to the “CUSTOMERS” who may be in the process of “BUYING” him for their President.

DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT -— CAVEAT EMPTOR

[BobL]

Actually those losers got more of an education than they realize...they might be a bit more cautious before blindly following anyone...and most learned this lesson at a relatively low cost.

[NYRepublican72]

I am shocked that this hasn’t been dragged out yet. If there’s any scandal that could stop the Trump Express, it’s this one.

The unaccredited school was an absolute joke.

Not that as a Republican, that would stop me from voting for Trump (or Cruz) in a general election against the criminal or the commie.

[patq]

I can never get enough of this story about this case that was dismissed. Keep trying!

[stylin19a]

Alan Garten, a Trump spokesperson said the New York Department of Education and prospective students "knew exactly what we were doing...and they were fine with it."

even this is true, does it make it ok ?

[SmokingJoe]

Another paid Cruz poster?

Naaaaah.
But I am enjoying the squeals of the paid Trump posters including you. By the way, my understanding is that the money Trump is paying you guys come from the Clinton Crime family, with additional funds from the New York mafia crime families, who have been in bed with Trump for decades.

[VitacoreVision]

Just a hit piece.

Trump University never claimed to be accredited.

Trump University’s books on Real Estate and building passive income are pretty solid in my opinion.

[healy61]

Why should I care that someone thought they could grab a Trump coat tail and get rich quick? I don’t. Work hard, study hard, and attend a reputable school. Not hard to figure out.

[chris37]

I enjoyed removing my support from Ted Cruz.

That was fun.

GO TRUMP!

[A_Tradition_Continues]

Another paid Cruz poster?

What difference does it make who posted the article? Simple fact is there are many articles on the subject of the "Trump Univerity" scam. Here's just one sampling of a class action lawsuit against Trump.

http://zhlaw.com/cases/trump-university/

PS...I'm not a Cruz or Trump supporter.

[SmokingJoe]

Apparently a good number of those same students involved in the suit are also claiming they support Trump for President.

Care to back that up?

That’s why this story died in August

Not even close. Litigating is just starting. You might want to read the article. Like Trump himself said when spewing birther rubbish about Ted Cruz, the Democrats WILL bring this up in a general election. To paraphrase Trump, I am doing Trump a favor bringing it up now. Chortle!