---
title: "Donald Trump's Dealmaking Record Shows Mixed Results, Reports Say"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/donald-trumps-dealmaking-record-shows-mixed-results-reports-say"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/donald-trumps-dealmaking-record-shows-mixed-results-reports-say"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/donald-trumps-dealmaking-record-shows-mixed-results-reports-say.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/donald-trumps-dealmaking-record-shows-mixed-results-reports-say"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-10-18T13:25:11.399Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-18T13:04:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-19T14:00:36.167Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 55
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-19T02:41:27.000Z"
---

# Donald Trump's Dealmaking Record Shows Mixed Results, Reports Say

*Analysis of his business and presidential careers reveals both successes and failures in negotiation.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. One full report and 16 digests provide sourcing, with claims attributed to named individuals and outlets.
- Craft 55 of 100, higher is better. The report includes expert opinions and specific examples of deals, but lacks a right of reply for those criticized.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. The headline promises an analysis of Trump's dealmaking record, which the article largely delivers.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Donald Trump suggested in 1984 he could negotiate Russian arms control better than Ronald Reagan.
- An analysis of Trump's business and presidential deals shows mixed results, with some agreements not materializing.
- Critics point to Trump's ego as an impediment to successful negotiation, while supporters highlight accomplishments like the Abraham Accords.
- Experts like Christopher Preble and Marty Latz have offered critical assessments of Trump's negotiation skills.

Donald Trump has consistently promoted himself as an exceptional dealmaker, a claim that fueled his rise from real estate tycoon to president. However, an examination of his business and presidential careers reveals a pattern of mixed results. While some deals have succeeded or may still succeed, others have collapsed or failed to materialize as promised.

## Divergent Views on Negotiation Skills

Christopher Preble, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, stated that Trump is not as skilled a negotiator as he believes. Marty Latz, an expert and author on negotiation, noted that Trump viewed every negotiation as a zero-sum game and that while he negotiated some excellent deals, he also failed spectacularly in others. Barbara Res, a former executive vice president at the Trump Organization, suggested that Trump's ego impedes his ability to make concessions, hindering progress. Conversely, some Trump administration officials and supporters have highlighted accomplishments such as the Abraham Accords and various trade agreements, labeling him 'the dealmaker in chief'.

## Omissions in coverage

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific cost of the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool repair, which was reported as closer to $20 million, a figure detailed in the Washington Top News full report. The right-rated digests also do not mention the specific amount of revenue generated by tariffs ($83 billion through September) or the figure Trump suggested for fixing the Reflecting Pool (just over $1 million).

## Who covered it

Shares of the 41 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 34% (14)
- Centre: 46% (19)
- Right: 20% (8)

3 of 44 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-19T02:41:27.000Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 4 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-19T18:15:31.208Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Eight left-rated reports focused on the mixed results of Donald Trump's dealmaking. These reports highlighted instances where promised agreements did not materialize, such as a ceasefire with Iran that quickly fizzled and a pause in attacks on energy infrastructure between Moscow and Kyiv that never happened. They also noted that Trump's use of tariffs led to trade wars and increased domestic prices, with less federal revenue than he suggested. The reports cited experts like Christopher Preble and Marty Latz who offered critical assessments of Trump's negotiation skills, attributing failures to his ego and a zero-sum approach. The Seattle Times, The Hamilton Spectator, The Record, St Catharines Standard, NiagaraFallsReview.ca, and Durango Herald all began with the AP report detailing Trump's 1984 suggestion that he could negotiate Russian arms control better than Ronald Reagan.

### Centre

- Five centre-rated reports also focused on the mixed outcomes of Donald Trump's dealmaking. Washington Top News, which provided a full report, detailed how Trump's presidency saw promised deals not materialize, citing examples like the Iran ceasefire and an agreement on energy infrastructure. It also mentioned trade tariffs that raised domestic prices and sparked trade wars. The reports quoted experts like Christopher Preble and Marty Latz, who provided critical assessments of Trump's negotiation abilities, with Latz stating Trump failed spectacularly in a number of deals. My Mother Lode, Medicine Hat News, The Herald Journal, and Winnipeg Free Press all included the detail from the AP report about Trump's 1984 comment on negotiating Russian arms control.

### Right

- Two right-rated reports acknowledged Donald Trump's self-proclaimed status as a great dealmaker but contrasted it with his record. Times of India noted that many of his promised agreements did not materialize as expected, while also mentioning some real accomplishments, including the Abraham Accords and trade agreements. Plaindealerin.com stated that many deals made over the years have fallen short of his own characterization. Both reports indicated that Trump's approach often involved leveraging chaos to maintain control during negotiations.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 4
- high: 19
- unknown: 3
- veryHigh: 18

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/18/ap-analysis-trump-says-hes-great-dealmaker-record-says-otherwise) — Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [El Diario](https://diario.mx/estados-unidos/2026/oct/18/trump-dice-ser-un-gran-negociador-pero-su-historial-senala-lo-contrario-1143980.html) — Trump Claims to Be a Great Negotiator, but His Record Points Out Otherwise
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/trump-dice-ser-un-gran-negociador-pero-su-historial-senala-lo-contrario_0_G8X2icEOkS.html) — Trump Claims to Be a Great Negotiator, but His Record Points Out Otherwise
- [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/negocios/trump-dice-ser-un-gran-negociador-pero-su-historial-senala-lo-contrario-b3068775.html) — Trump Claims to Be a Great Negotiator, but His Record Points Out Otherwise
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-but-his-record-says-otherwise-report-101792329513430.html) — Trump says he's a great dealmaker, but his record says otherwise: Report
- [Sentinel Colorado](https://sentinelcolorado.com/nation-world/nation/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/articleshow/135029211.cms) — Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/articleshow/135029211.cms) — Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [MY Northwest](https://mynorthwest.com/national/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/4287721) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_170a25e1-c97f-5394-97f3-426ec8f7770d.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [KHQ Right Now](https://khq.com/news/syndicated/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_873740ac-8edf-5b8c-a83f-82f08a4108ba.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [WV News](https://wvnews.com/newsfeed/politics/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_1f896f6d-6c7d-5f16-8782-4455198bf6bd.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [El Paso Inc.](https://elpasoinc.com/news/ap_wire/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_edf45c3e-e017-5e8c-91f0-7a863f0030ed.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [Mankato Free Press](https://mankatofreepress.com/news/business/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_856ee838-33ed-518b-b0e1-572a069e73da.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [The Northern Virginia Daily](https://nvdaily.com/associated_press_national/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_e2f80293-9c3e-55c8-9d91-f49e0ae67c14.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [Herald Bulletin](https://heraldbulletin.com/news/nation_world/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_ccc2fae1-1839-5d4b-a7bf-dc78b982df13.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [Daily News-Record](https://dnronline.com/associated_press/national/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_61c2db05-405f-51c1-b2ac-40a1cb20ad8c.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [Jonesboro Sun](https://jonesborosun.com/analysis-trump-says-hes-a-great-dealmaker-his-record-says-otherwise/article_1b98ffc5-3de7-5173-86fb-6b15ece671f7.html) — Analysis: Trump says he's a great dealmaker. His record says otherwise
- [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/us-government/11231681/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/lifestyle/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal-12907549) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/lifestyle/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal-12907549) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/10/18/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_2acc0483-2a53-57c8-ba61-77bf46b1b238.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/10/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal – WTOP News
- [The Herald Journal](https://hjnews.com/nation/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_7b84434f-a6c9-549a-9d84-0d7d1a1b85ad.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [SooLeader.com](https://sooleader.com/michigan-news-ap/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal-12907554) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [plaindealerin.com](https://plaindealerin.com/news/wire/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_d972bffd-a2d1-57fd-a20e-7ecb88090c17.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [KULR-TV](https://kulr8.com/news/national/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_29a21cd2-bc4e-59b6-98cb-80b6b0048239.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Idaho Press](https://idahopress.com/apgstate/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_866cf343-8ee9-5eb2-94c8-6c0ac50e2150.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [The Daily Advance](https://dailyadvance.com/news/national/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_74d03f27-7ac5-5de6-a80d-abd60b09307e.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Daily Record](https://dailyrecordnews.com/ap_news/entertainment/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_14bd45e0-371c-5caa-b117-9cbf1251a78f.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Goshen News](https://goshennews.com/news/national_news/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_2af17258-6c7c-58b8-8a39-de91f77b1cac.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Idaho State Journal](https://idahostatejournal.com/news/entertainment/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_9fea433d-d88f-5a66-8af2-7f7ce41d1b86.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [union-bulletin.com](https://union-bulletin.com/news/national/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_5e38be81-f0d7-5bd9-9470-2130c7ac5193.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [El Vocero de Puerto Rico](https://elvocero.com/el-mundo/trump-dice-ser-un-gran-negociador-pero-su-historial-se-ala-lo-contrario/article_3391f51d-2be5-4deb-9ca8-d6db26538cd4.html) — Trump Claims to Be a Great Negotiator, but His Record Points Out Otherwise
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/business/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_43146ffe-a58b-51bd-aaa1-080a8cdb1b7a.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/business/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_604a21ee-8c46-5452-acbc-cec9661d6cc6.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/business/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_5a17be02-baf5-5e27-af21-86d1d85978d0.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/business/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_4dfcabf3-7b62-51b3-88de-2395dd1e04a1.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/2026/10/18/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer](https://messenger-inquirer.com/ap/entertainment/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal/article_b7f96b2f-778f-5806-bd93-247f94eba810.html) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal
- [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/analysis-for-trump-results-have-often-revealed-the-art-of-no-deal) — Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal

## Questions

**What did Donald Trump say about negotiating Russian arms control in 1984?**

In 1984, Donald Trump suggested he could negotiate Russian arms control better than Ronald Reagan. He told The Washington Post it would take an hour-and-a-half to learn everything about missiles, asserting that dealmaking prowess is something one either has or does not.

**What are some examples of Trump's deals that did not materialize as promised?**

Reports indicate that promised agreements during Trump's presidency, such as a ceasefire with Iran that quickly fizzled and an agreement to prevent attacks on energy infrastructure between Moscow and Kyiv, did not materialize as expected. His use of tariffs also led to trade wars.

**What successes are attributed to Donald Trump's dealmaking?**

Supporters and some administration officials point to accomplishments such as the Abraham Accords and various trade agreements as successes of Trump's dealmaking. He also credited himself with lowering prescription drug prices and stimulating domestic manufacturing.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/donald-trumps-dealmaking-record-shows-mixed-results-reports-say. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Donald Trump's Dealmaking Record Shows Mixed Results, Reports Say", https://mediabias.news/politics/donald-trumps-dealmaking-record-shows-mixed-results-reports-say