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Collection of 13 signed letters from Donald Trump to New York real estate executive Tom Kaufman and his colleagues, consisting of 11 TLSs and two ANSs, all but one signed “Donald,” all dating between December 1998 and January 2004. Written during Kaufman’s tenures at Tishman Realty, Insignia/ESG, and CB Richard Ellis, the correspondence documents a warm professional relationship spanning more than five years, with letters thanking Kaufman for holiday gifts and charitable support, acknowledging memorial tributes to Trump's parents, Fred and Mary Trump, inviting him to political fundraisers and private receptions for Rudy Giuliani and Eliot Spitzer, and expressing appreciation for Kaufman's participation in philanthropic causes such as United Cerebral Palsy. The two autograph notes, penned on a photocopy of a newspaper article and a copy of one of Trump's own letters, offer informal remarks and encouragement. Highlights include:
- December 18, 1998, thanking Kaufman for a holiday gift basket: “My whole family will be sure to enjoy the abundance of goodies, from the stuffed fox for little Tiffany to the ham glazes, which will surely add a note of distinction to our holiday dinner.”
- April 13, 1999, inviting Kaufman to a private cocktail reception at Trump’s Trump Tower apartment in support of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s anticipated Senate campaign: “As you know, this is Rudy’s final term in office and he has now set his sites (and considerable talents and abilities) on Washington. His hope is to run for a seat in the Senate and, given his phenomenal record as Mayor, he will be a truly outstanding candidate.”
- May 19, 1999, thanking Kaufman for attending the Giuliani reception and contributing to his prospective Senate campaign: “He has been a truly outstanding mayor, and if he serves us even as half as well in the Senate as he has as leader of our city, he will do a remarkable job.”
- August 9, 1999, thanking Kaufman and his colleagues for placing a tribute to Trump’s late father, Fred C. Trump, in The New York Times: “My father was an amazing man. He inspired many and brought joy to countless lives. While he will be greatly missed, there is solace in knowing that his memory will live on through his good deeds.”
- August 22, 2000, thanking Kaufman and Joseph Simone for a New York Times memorial to Trump’s mother, Mary Anne Trump: “It is hard to believe she is gone, and the next few weeks and months will be very difficult for all of us. However, there is comfort in knowing that she not only touched our lives, but the lives of all who knew her.”
- March 22, 2001, thanking Kaufman for his $10,000 contribution and participation as a table buyer at United Cerebral Palsy’s 46th Annual Awards Dinner honoring Muhammad Ali and Leo Hausman: “Your generous gift of $10,000.00 will go a long way to help UCP maintain its high quality services in health care, education, employment, housing and technology resources.”
- December 27, 2001, thanking Kaufman for an oversized box of Godiva chocolates: “After feasting on them for several days, the term ‘largest developer in New York’ has taken on a new meaning for me.”
- October 15, 2003, inviting Kaufman to a private reception at Trump Tower for New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer: “This outstanding record, combined with his exemplary background and experience, make him one of the most appealing and formidable political figures we have both in New York and on the national level.” Trump adds in a typed postscript: “Even if you cannot attend on November 6th, I hope you will send a contribution.”
The two autograph notes include: a photocopy of a Crain’s New York Business article from January 2001, “SoHo sofas moved in a not-so-shabby deal,” concerning Kaufman's efforts to lease space at 40 Wall Street: “Tom K – Do you believe? D”; and a photocopy of Trump’s TLS to William G. Cohen from January 8, 2001, regarding the rental of the third and fourth floors of Trump Tower: “Tom – Do a great job! Donald.” Includes a photocopy of a New York Times article from circa July 2000 entitled “Chrysler May Be in Chrysler Building’s Future,” forwarding the story to Dick Levy and Tom Kaufman, with Trump’s note also a facsimile: “Dick L, Tom K, Why not change the name of the G.M. Bldg to Daimler-Chrysler? Better location & big statement – ? Donald.”
In overall fine to very fine condition. Accompanied by four original mailing envelopes and two “From the office of Donald J. Trump” compliment cards.
Spanning the final years before Donald Trump's emergence as a television personality, these letters document a period when he was principally known as a New York real estate developer, businessman, and political donor. The correspondence touches on several notable figures and events of the era, including Rudy Giuliani's anticipated Senate campaign, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, United Cerebral Palsy's annual awards dinner honoring Muhammad Ali, and the deaths of Fred C. and Mary Anne Trump. The archive offers a revealing glimpse into Trump's business relationships, philanthropic activities, and political connections at the turn of the twenty-first century.
