Richard Branson shares old scathing letter from Trump questioning his billionaire status

Remember 2004, pre-Twitter times, when Donald Trump was forced to secretly write his insults on paper and then mail them to his enemies? Virgin Group founder Richard Branson sure does, and he's sharing a 13-year-old letter Trump sent scolding him for starting a reality show similar to The Apprentice.

Branson published the surly letter in his upcoming book, Finding My Virginity, according to The Independent.

The tirade includes Trump ravings such as: "You should try to get out of the airline business too...;" "I wonder out loud how you can be anywhere close to a billionaire";" and "Do not use me to promote your rapidly sinking show""

Excerpts of Trump's letter via The Independent:

"At least your dismal ratings can now allow you to concentrate on your airline which, I am sure, needs every ounce of your energy," Mr Trump wrote.

"It is obviously a terrible business and I can't imagine, with fuel prices etc, that you can be doing any better in it than anyone else.

"Like television, you should try to get out of the airline business too, as soon as possible! Actually, I wonder out loud how you can be anywhere close to a billionaire and be in that business. Perhaps the title of your show, The Rebel Billionaire, is misleading?

"In any event, do not use me to promote your rapidly sinking show - you are a big boy, try doing it yourself!"

Image: Jarle Naustvik