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Trump University...Not Really A University?!
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 16, 2010
Modified Apr 16, 2010
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 16, 2010
Modified Apr 16, 2010
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It's been nearly five years since the Donald founded Trump University (whose mission statement makes it sound like The Apprentice: University Edition), but it seems that some educators are not convinced that it actually is a university. The state Education Department slammed the fauxiversity and Trump for "misleading" the public, in a letter obtained by the Daily News. "Use of the word 'university' by your corporation is misleading and violates New York Education Law and the Rules of the Board of Regents," wrote Deputy Commissioner for Higher Education Joseph Frey.
Several complaints by people who attended the seminars given by Trump U. can be found online, including many claims that the expensive classes are a scam: "I, too, signed up for the 3 day class at $1495, after attending the 2 hour free event. The deal was, if you were dissatisfied after the 1st day, you could get your money back. The first day was full of excellent information, so of course, no one wanted their money back. The next 2 days were completely worthless. The focus for those 2 days was to sell you on other programs." One person says it was like listening to a "high powered car salesman," and another complains that you are expected to sign up for a 35k "gold" package (though you can get not-sketchy coupons for classes here).
Trump University was also recently given a "D" rating by Better Business Bureau; university President Michael Sexton sounded dejected about the whole thing: "We'll cooperate with them fully, and at the end of the day, if we're in violation of any state regulation, we will change our name to Trump Education."
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donald trump
education
scam
trump university
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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