Trump on America's Attitude Toward Wealth

This is a rush transcript from "Your World With Neil Cavuto," August 4, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

NEIL CAVUTO, HOST: Well, easy for the Donald to say, but there is no better guy to say it, is there? Donald Trump says we should be celebrating wealth in America and wonders why we keep seeming to attack it.

He joins me right now on the phone.

Mr. Trump, good to have you back.

DONALD TRUMP, CHAIRMAN & CEO, TRUMP HOTELS & CASINO RESORTS: Hi, Neil.

CAVUTO: It is weird, isn't it? All of the sudden, we're ashamed of doing OK.

TRUMP: Well, the world is a different place, Neil. There's no question. But I think Lloyd is doing the right by saying low-key it.

• Video: Watch Cavuto's interview with Donald Trump

At the same time, you have to pay to get the best people. But he really has done and is doing the right thing.

CAVUTO: All right. Now, the message, though, he's sending to a lot of folks is that a show of wealth, I guess, just doesn't have its time and place.

And I'm thinking of you. I mean, you are — you're about wealth. You are a wealthy guy. You're one of the world's richest guys. Are you going to rein things in?

TRUMP: Well, I don't think I — I don't think of myself as being someone that really shows wealth. I work hard. I employ thousands of people. I get a lot of people through that education and doctors' bills. And, you know, we do a good job.

And I don't think of myself as a showy guy. Some people might, but I don't. I mean, we work hard at the Trump Organization, and we do a good job.

CAVUTO: You know, do you think, though, it is the open season on rich people, especially very rich people?

TRUMP: Absolutely.

CAVUTO: Not only to up their taxes, but to charge surtaxes on top of surtaxes.

TRUMP: Yes.

CAVUTO: I know that the rich need no lobby, but you do seem to need a little P.R. help these days.

TRUMP: Well, it is open season. There's no question about it. And it is a mess in terms of what's — what is going on, and maybe for good reason.

But I think it will straighten out, and, ultimately, people want to be rich. And that's part of the American way. You want to be rich and you want to live well. And I don't think they want to take that away.

CAVUTO: But do you worry that this gets to be almost Great Gatsby- ish, though, Donald, that, with the best of intentions, and whether it's at Goldman or elsewhere, that folks are low-keying it, so they don't go to some of your expensive shops or your designer golf courses, and they — they — they really do almost to spite themselves, so they don't have to show off themselves?

TRUMP: Well, there is a little movement in that direction, but it will change. And as things get a little bit better, it will change a little bit more.

And I think we have to stop talking about people not going to certain locations and certain types of facilities, because those facilities, whether they are resorts or whatever they may be, they employ millions and millions of American people. And we have to stop that kind of thinking. There's no question about it. It has been very, very bad.

But it will change.

CAVUTO: All right.

But they are obviously going to cheaper locations, Donald. So, I'm wondering whether you would rethink setting up some facilities in the Poconos or the Catskills.

TRUMP: Well, I think you do rethink that. And when enough people rethink it, and they don't get built, then, all of a sudden, government starts thinking, well, we have got to get those people back. Let's give an incentive to build. So, it — it runs in cycles, Neil. And it will change.

O'REILLY: So, you think that this surtax upon surtax for guys like you, they're going to cool it on that eventually?

TRUMP: Well, I think, eventually, we will say, well, what are we working for? It doesn't really work. It's not — there is not an incentive. We are not going to take the risks. And we take tremendous risks. And put thousands and millions of people to work. We're not going to take the risks. We're going to sit back home and relax.

And when that starts happening, they will again create the incentives and they will again start taking the taxes off.

CAVUTO: But, you know, Donald, I mean, finally, I'm not blowing smoke your way, but you are comfortable who you are, comfortable being a rich guy. I see a lot of rich guys, maybe not as rich as you are, who are not comfortable in their skin with that, or they got all the heebie-jeebies or this class warfare nonsense racing in their blood.

Advise them. Give them some tips.

TRUMP: Well, the world has all different types of people. And you have yourself. You have me. You have lots of different ways and lots and different ways of handling things, Neil.

But, you know, I'm very comfortable in what I do. I'm very proud of what I do. And, as I said, I employ thousands and thousands of people who are very happily employed. And they are out raising families and doing very well. So, I am very proud of that.

CAVUTO: Yes.

I like how you lump me in with you, a billionaire. That's cool.

Donald Trump, always good seeing you my friend. Best of luck, as "The Apprentice" continues to soar. Always good seeing you.

TRUMP: Thank you very much, Neil.

CAVUTO: Donald Trump.

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