While trying to explain how he defied his father’s expectations, Donald Trump on Monday morning said that his life has not been “easy,” adding that his father gave him a “small” million dollar loan when Trump decided to start building in Manhattan.
During a town hall with NBC’s “Today,” an attendee asked Trump if he’s ever been told “no.”
“My whole life really has been a ‘no.’ And I fought through it,” he responded.
“It has not been easy for me,” he continued. “I started off in Brooklyn. My father gave me a small loan of a million dollars. I came into Manhattan, and I had to pay him back. And I had to pay him back with interest. But I came into Manhattan. I started buying up properties, and I did great.”
Trump said that his father doubted him and felt his foray into Manhattan wouldn’t work out.
“All my life I was told ‘no,'” Trump said.
Town hall moderator Matt Lauer jumped in and said, “Let’s just put this in perspective. You said it hasn’t been easy for you, but ‘My dad gave me a million dollar loan.’ That probably is going to seem pretty easy to a lot of people.”
“You’re right,” Trump replied. “But a million dollars isn’t very much compared to what I’ve built.”
Watch Trump’s comments below:
