In the gospel according to Donald Trump — his book “The Art of the Deal” — the future president laid out his business and life philosophy.

“I aim very high, and then I just keep pushing and pushing and pushing to get what I’m after,” Trump wrote. “Sometimes I settle for less than I sought, but in most cases I still end up with what I want.”

Once, Trump used this technique to haggle with contractors, to intimidate rival real estate sharks and in endless lawsuits to pursue his business interests.

Twenty-eight years later, he hasn’t changed. His pushing and pushing and pushing just takes place on a grander and more consequential stage.

How Trump beat a presidential curse

The president’s relentless attempts to create leverage and wield decisive and uninhibited power on multiple fronts hav

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