Trump’s tale of business genius could meet sorry end in New York fraud trial

The ex-Apprentice host projected an image of success but the outcome of the case could be a death blow to his companies

Two decades ago, when Donald Trump introduced himself to the American public from the back of a limousine going through New York City, he told a simple story of triumph disguised as a confession.

About 13 years ago, I was seriously in trouble. I was billions of dollars in debt," he said in the opening scene of his reality TV show, The Apprentice, which premiered in January 2004. But I fought back, and I won - big league."