Trump University

Donald launches University

No, not me, but my namesake (Donald Trump's) new e-learning venture, the Trump University. This from a man who posted this message on the same site, “It’s a known fact that I’m no technophile; I’m on record as a being someone who has no use for e-mail.” Well, that’s that cleared up. He obviously won’t be taking any of his own online courses on his own online university.

The home page says it all – Trump’s face looks you straight in the eye, inviting you to take courses on Real Estate and Wealth Management. For a billionaire he sure has a cheap hairdo. A badly designed collegiate logo (heraldic shield with lion and chevrons) dons every page and the whole thing looks as if it’s been thrown together as a school web project. It's a hoot.

The online courses look like Roger’s old work with Columbia University. Add then to your ‘cart’ if you will. The books section is full of books by the famous – you’ve guessed it – Donald Trump. You can even buy merchandise – Trump University baseball caps, tee-shirts, golf polo shirts and sweatshirts. How cool is that?!

This is nasty and tacky. It shows how the cult of the celebrity entrepreneur has reached new lows in the US. What surprises me is that the hugely articulate and intelligent Roger Schank has joined as Chief Learning Officer.

Roger used to show a great video clip of a stand-up comedian offering the three minute university for $20. I never expected him to do it for real.

Look if you dare, but prepare for the worst...

http://www.trumpuniversity.com