First things first: Yes, Trump University is a real thing. Donald Trump started his own online education company to make even more money teaching people how to "get rich" for fees of anywhere between $5,000 to $35,000 per course. If you didn't hate Donald Trump before now, this should do it.
That said, let's add the whopping cherry on top: According to the New York Times, Trump is being sued for $40 million by the New York State attorney for alleged fraud in connection with Trump University. Long story short, apparently it's a fraud, and everyone who attended couldn't land one real estate deal after 'graduating' the programs. Shocking news, because the name Trump University DEFINITELY sounds like one belong to a legit institution.
From the article:
The lawsuit, which seeks restitution of at least $40 million, accused Mr. Trump, the Trump Organization and others involved with the school of running it as an unlicensed educational institution from 2005 to 2011 and making false claims about its classes in what was described as “an elaborate bait-and-switch.”
In a statement, Eric T. Schneiderman, the attorney general, said Mr. Trump appeared in advertisements for the school making “false promises” to persuade more than 5,000 people around the country — including 600 New Yorkers — “to spend tens of thousands of dollars they couldn’t afford for lessons they never got.”
Sooooo, apparently, offering a $35,000 course in, like, real estate without a license made of GOLD isn't cool in the state of New York. Duly noted.
[via Uproxx]