A Definition of Being "Trumped"

"Trumped" has always had a special meaning in certain card games.  But now Donald Trump has turned it into a very useful shorthand for certain types of business transactions seen frequently in the news, or by lawyers in a business practice.  No longer do you have to explain the details of the transaction, you just say someone was "Trumped".

The scenario involves a promoter who wants to achieve some outcome for his benefit.  He goes to investors and promises big benefits if they lend him money.  Then perhaps he hires contractors or employees to get it up and running.  Once the promoter has achieved their goal they see no reason to actually pay what they owe to investors, or the contractors or employees.  The investors, contractors and employees have been "Trumped".

Now a caution to those who might have ambitions to "Trump" people to achieve their goals.  It only works if you are a billionaire dealing with regular folks.  If you are a regular folk you will get sued and a judge will make you pay lots of money to the folks you "Trumped".

But if you are a billionaire with an army of lawyers at your disposal you can bury regular folks in legal entanglements so no judge ever gets a chance to address the fact you behaved like a scoundrel.  Or an even cheaper solution is for the billionaire to just create a corporation, become the CEO, award themselves with a huge salary then throw the corporation into bankruptcy and walk away with all the money.

For the rest of us who don't want to get "Trumped" the trick is either not have anything to do with anyone who has a history of "Trumping" people, or beware promoters who offer grandiose but vague promises.  

A clever promoter will always have an excuse why this time is different, or why he/she can't be specific.