Why Donald Trump No Longer Mentions His Attendance at Fordham University
Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, has often been known for making grandiose claims and leaving out certain details from his autobiography. One such detail is his brief attendance at Fordham University. Trump used to prominently mention Fordham in his speeches and interviews, but that changed after a few significant events. Let's delve into why.
The Incident
Donald Trump used to speak about his time at Fordham University with pride, especially highlighting his achievement of securing a Bachelor’s degree. However, in recent times, he rarely mentions the institution. This change in behavior came after a specific incident where someone managed to get access to his records and grades from Fordham. Trump, as expected, responded by threatening to sue the university. Fordham's response, however, was unyielding: bring it. Unfortunately, the suit was never filed, and as of now, Donald Trump does not mention Fordham in any public discourse.
Fordham’s Background and Trump’s Academic History
Fordham University, a Jesuit institution, is now known for its prestigious law school. In the 1960s, when Donald Trump attended, it was a good enough university, but not particularly renowned in certain fields such as theatre and dance. Trump chose to attend Fordham, likely because he believed that it would be a more accessible route for him to gain a degree. Given his legal background, he later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), where he also received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Trump is on record threatening to sue Fordham if they ever released confidential information about him, including his grades. It’s clear that Fordham has no interest in associating itself with Trump's name, especially since their ideals include caring, compassion, and intellectual rigor.
The Socio-Psychological Perspective
It’s widely speculated that there might be a deeper reason why Trump doesn’t mention Fordham. A significant contributing factor is the fact that he did not graduate from Fordham. Instead, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree from another institution, a practice that is standard and does not reflect poorly on either him or Fordham. According to sources, Trump wrote a threatening letter to Fordham, warning them to keep his records confidential or face legal action.
Given Trump's history of making grandiose claims about his education and academic accomplishments, it's not surprising that he didn't mention Fordham. In the past, he has also made claims about earning an MBA from Wharton, where he allegedly graduated top of his class. However, records show that he was likely a poor student, benefiting from his father's financial contributions to Wharton to ensure he wouldn't flunk out.
Furthermore, a closer look at Trump's academic history reveals the deep impact of his father on his education. His graduation from Wharton was largely due to his father's substantial financial contributions to the university. Even his attendance at Wharton is often falsely overemphasized. It's clear that his education was not solely a reflection of his academic abilities, but also his family's wealth and influence.
Given the evidence, it is evident that Donald Trump's reluctance to mention Fordham and his academic background aligns with broader patterns of grandiosity and deception. Whether due to the integrity of the institution or personal branding, Trump has found it beneficial to keep this chapter of his life under wraps.