By Mark Felling, 05/22/2025

Today, I decided to take a short break from providing Inclusive Technologies and learn or observe pitches, as I work on communicating my vision for Inclusive Living, an alternative to large commercially zoned nursing homes or assisted living where few would choose to live focused on homes for 6 to 8  cognitively capable adults who in some daily assistance with activities of daily living or Home Care.

 So I went to a free two-hour local seminar on multifamily real estate investing by an organization called "The Multifamily Mindset".  I expected a sales pitch, and while the 2 hours contained some good basic information,  I was surprised at how many people jumped at the $1500 to go to a three-day training in June conveniently here in Fort Myers.   I was surprised at how many locations and events they were hosting all over the country. So I decided to come home and do a little research. I did meet a local contractor focused on the construction and rehab of multifamily real estate who intelligently at no cost stood outside the exit doors with business cards.

Reading through this lawsuit case filing 200802327 on June 18th 2024 by Ryan Woolley against Multifamily Mindset LLC and his former partner, Tyler Deveraux, the CEO was insightful and brought to question ethics and proper handling of other people's money. Especially for someone who's pitching to be a GP (general partner) in their student's investments.

In Tyler Deveraux's profile on Connected Investors he mentions "I attribute a lot of my success to the foundational knowledge I acquired from David Lindahl’s training, David is one of the nations leading experts in the multi-family space." So I looked up David. Turns out he  sounds a little more legitimate, having written a number of books people referenced in various places being quite good. He has a company  Re Mentor offering   multi-family real estate training courses. That website looks like a newer updated version of an old one .

A search for David Lindahl real estate training turned up an interesting find. The book he wrote for Trump University available on Amazon for $8.87. Trump University Commercial Real Estate 101: How Small Investors Can Get Started and Make It Big Hardcover – November 10, 2008 by David Lindahl (Author), Donald J. Trump (Author). While getting credit as an author apparently Trump just wrote a few comments. The reviews on Amazon  actually said it's an excellent guide to commercial real estate investing, second only to Commercial Real Estate Investing for Dummies Paperback – January 1, 2008
by Peter Conti (Author), Peter Harris (Author) available for $2.80 + $3.99 shipping.   Ironically I couldn't help but notice both of these books were published in 2008. Maybe not the best year for book sales? Or did all the authors see what was coming, and it was actually the perfect year?   

That made me think, history tends to repeat itself. So I asked ChatGPT and Grock: "Please tell me about the history of Trump University, what did they teach or rather sell? What was the pitch? Was it legitimate? And why did it fail?" Admittedly, this was my second attempt as my first question didn't get a very good answer.  But the answer to this prompt was quite interesting and insightful!

So in summary, I saved $40,000 (which I would have never done) so maybe more realistically I saved $1500 that others spent today.  Instead, I spent $15.66 on two books on Commercial Real Estate each with excellent reviews, and there are many more.  there's a reason traditional education focuses on reading and studying books.   You can get a better or at least the same education for $100  compared to spending $10,000 or  $3000 or $30,000  with an online Guru with videos who read the books and put in the time and effort (hopefully).

Inclusive Technology Sidenote: As a C5 quadriplegic if I'm setting up in my wheelchair I can turn the pages of a paper book with my arm movement though I don't have any fingered dexterity. However,  it doesn't lead to good posture and I get cramps in my neck and right now I'm fighting a sore on my butt, so wound care doctor and nurses say I need to spend more time in bed to let it heal.  I think I will have to break out one of our Physical Book PagTurner for Disabled $299 with Alexa Voice Control Switches $299, available from Inclusive Technologies. since sitting up in my wheelchair for hours reading right now isn't a good idea with a reoccurring pressure sore,  I will mount it on our Robo Arm Mount with the Robo Arm Bed Mattress Base to read it hands-free while in bed! Minimally, the one from Trump University will be a great coffee table conversation piece!   I like physical books, it's more relaxing to read them, but if I could find a digital ebook version of these books, I bought the kit with Inclusive Technologies using a Mini PC, 65 65-inch TV on a motorized ceiling mount that  I can raise and lower by voice command with Alexa. Then I control the Mini PC  wirelessly via Bluetooth with our QuadMouse,  our best most popular head most controller over 18 years, to move the mouse cursor with my lips when laying in bed.  The QuadMouse is held at just the right proper position and angle by our Head-of-Bed-Mattress Mount which also holds my smartphone and I can switch back and forth between the Mini PC and my smartphone or even another tablet all using only my lips while my head is on the pillow. If I want to connect with my computer on my desk I can do that with a small IP KVM.   I am working with Vocational Rehabilitation to get an Inclusive Technologies Liberty Lateral Rotation Bed to get this pressure sore healed and stay healthier in the future and I can control all of its functions from rolling to sitting up in bed by voice commands with Alexa.

This was a great response   from ChatGPT and I was very impressed at how well it was nicely formatted. But I wanted a little more detail.

Second, I also asked Grock "Please tell me about the history of Trump University, what did they teach or rather sell, what was the pitch? Was it legitimate, and why did it fail?" 

I got it much more detailed response,  which I noticed the similarities between the pitch, the process, and even the exact pricing between the multifamily mindset and Trump University. So below you'll see I asked Grok for its opinion sort of verifying my thinking...

History of Trump University Trump University, also known as the Trump Wealth Institute and later the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative, was founded in 2004 by Donald Trump, Michael Sexton, and Jonathan Spitalny as a New York limited liability company, with Trump owning 93% of the company. It officially launched its educational programs on May 23, 2005, and operated until 2011. Despite its name, it was not an accredited university or college, did not confer degrees, and was not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It was owned and operated by The Trump Organization, with a separate entity, the Trump Institute, licensed but not owned by Trump University.

What Did They Teach or Sell? Trump University offered courses in real estate, asset management, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation, primarily through seminars and mentorship programs. The programs included: 

Free Introductory Seminars: These 90-minute sessions served as a marketing tool to attract attendees, promising to share Donald Trump’s “secrets to success” in real estate. The primary goal was to upsell attendees to paid programs. Three-Day Seminars: Priced at $995 to $1,995, these seminars claimed to teach Trump’s real estate investment strategies. However, former students and instructors reported that the content was basic, often consisting of rudimentary real estate knowledge available elsewhere, and focused heavily on upselling more expensive programs. Mentorship Programs: These ranged from $9,995 to $34,995 (e.g., the “Gold Elite” package). Attendees were promised personalized coaching from “handpicked” experts to learn advanced real estate techniques, such as profiting from foreclosures. In reality, many instructors lacked real estate expertise, and the mentoring was often minimal or nonexistent. Post-2008 Focus: After the 2008 financial crisis, Trump University shifted its pitch to teach students how to profit from the real estate market crash, particularly through “Fast Track to Foreclosure” seminars, encouraging the use of “other people’s money” (OPM), such as credit cards, to invest in distressed properties. The course materials were often outsourced to companies like Prosper Inc. and David Early, known for producing generic real estate coaching content, rather than being developed by Trump or his team.

What Was the Pitch? The sales pitch centered on leveraging Donald Trump’s reputation as a successful real estate mogul. Key elements included:

Trump’s Personal Involvement: Marketing materials claimed Trump had handpicked instructors and would share his personal “insider success secrets.” In reality, Trump had minimal involvement beyond approving marketing materials and appeared unaware of the curriculum or instructor qualifications. Aspirational Appeal: The pitch targeted the “little guy,” promising that attendees could achieve wealth like Trump.Advertisements emphasized Trump’s desire to “leave a legacy as an educator” rather than profit, despite high costs. High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Instructors used aggressive, scripted techniques, such as urging students to max out credit cards or tap into home equity and retirement funds to afford pricier programs. Playbooks instructed staff to dismiss objections, exploit financial vulnerabilities, and create a sense of urgency. Students were told that cheaper seminars were insufficient and that only expensive mentorships would lead to success. Emotional Manipulation: Instructors were trained to play on students’ aspirations and fears, pushing them to invest heavily by suggesting that failure to act would mean missing out on life-changing opportunities. Some were encouraged to raise credit limits during seminar breaks. Was It Legitimate? Trump University was widely criticized as illegitimate and fraudulent:

Not a University: Despite its name, it lacked accreditation and did not offer college credits or degrees, violating New York State law by calling itself a “university.” The New York Attorney General’s office warned the company about this as early as 2005. Deceptive Marketing: Lawsuits alleged false advertising, particularly claims of Trump’s direct involvement and promises of unique, high-value real estate education. Former instructors, like Ronald Schnackenberg and Jason Nicholas, testified that the programs were a “fraudulent scheme” that delivered little actionable content and focused on upselling. Targeting Vulnerable Groups: The programs often targeted financially distressed individuals, single parents, and the elderly, using their aspirations to pressure them into costly commitments. Lack of Qualified Instructors: Many instructors were not real estate experts but salespeople trained to push expensive packages. Some admitted to lacking the credentials they claimed. Student Outcomes: No evidence suggests students achieved significant real estate success based on Trump University’s teachings. Many reported financial losses, with some losing life savings or accruing debt. Why Did It Fail? Trump University ceased operations in 2011 amid mounting legal and reputational challenges:

Lawsuits and Investigations: In 2013, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a civil lawsuit alleging illegal business practices and fraud, claiming Trump University defrauded over 600 students. Two federal class-action lawsuits in California accused the company of misleading marketing and aggressive sales tactics. In 2016, Trump settled these lawsuits for $25 million ($21 million for students and $4 million for New York), without admitting wrongdoing. Over 6,000 students were eligible for refunds, recovering about 90% of their costs. Student Complaints: Surveys and affidavits revealed widespread dissatisfaction. Many students felt misled, reporting that seminars were sales pitches rather than educational, with little follow-up support. High refund request rates (32% for three-day seminars, 16% for Gold Elite) underscored the discontent. Reputational Damage: The lawsuits and negative media coverage, amplified during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, exposed the company’s practices, labeling it a “massive scam” in outlets like the National Review. Former employees’ depositions and released playbooks detailed the high-pressure tactics, further damaging its credibility. Operational Issues: The shift from online to in-person seminars increased costs, and the reliance on unqualified instructors and outsourced materials undermined the program’s value. Internal concerns from instructors like Stephen Gilpin about unethical practices went unaddressed, contributing to its collapse. Conclusion Trump University was marketed as a pathway to real estate wealth using Donald Trump’s name and reputation but operated as a high-pressure sales scheme rather than a legitimate educational institution. It sold expensive seminars and mentorships with minimal educational value, targeting vulnerable individuals with promises of success that rarely materialized. Its failure stemmed from legal challenges, student dissatisfaction, and reputational damage, culminating in a $25 million settlement. The saga remains a significant controversy, often cited as evidence of deceptive business practices.

It seems like the multifamily mindset is almost copying or following Trump University's pitch and Playbook and even pricing, would you agree?

To determine whether Multifamily Mindset mirrors Trump University’s pitch, playbook, and pricing, let’s compare the two based on available information about their structure, sales tactics, and costs, while critically examining their approaches.

Pitch Comparison Trump University:

Core Pitch: Trump University marketed itself as a pathway to real estate wealth by leveraging Donald Trump’s name and reputation as a successful mogul. It promised to teach attendees Trump’s “insider secrets” for real estate success, emphasizing aspirational wealth-building for the “little guy.” Marketing materials claimed Trump personally selected instructors and was deeply involved, though he later admitted minimal involvement beyond approving ads. Target Audience: Focused on a broad audience, often targeting financially vulnerable individuals (e.g., single parents, elderly) with promises of quick wealth through real estate, particularly post-2008 via foreclosure opportunities. Emotional Appeal: The pitch played on aspirational and emotional triggers, suggesting that investing in their programs was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to emulate Trump’s success. It emphasized urgency and personal responsibility for wealth creation. Multifamily Mindset:

Core Pitch: Multifamily Mindset, founded in 2020 by Tyler Deveraux and Ryan Woolley, positions itself as an educational platform specializing in multifamily real estate investment. It promises to teach both novice and experienced investors how to acquire and manage multifamily properties for passive income and wealth-building. The pitch emphasizes access to expert guidance, deal sponsorship, and networking with investment partners. Target Audience: Targets both beginners and experienced investors, though critics note its high cost makes it less suitable for newcomers with limited capital. It focuses on multifamily properties (e.g., apartments, condos) as a niche for generating steady returns. Emotional Appeal: Similar to Trump University, it appeals to aspirations of financial freedom and a “growth mindset,” promising life-changing opportunities through real estate. Free events are used to draw attendees into paid programs, with claims of access to the founders’ expertise and networks. Similarity: Both programs heavily rely on the personal branding of their founders (Trump’s celebrity status vs. Deveraux’s claimed success with 1,500+ apartment units). They use aspirational messaging to attract attendees, promising transformative wealth through real estate. Both start with free or low-cost introductory events designed to upsell pricier programs, a common tactic in real estate education schemes. However, Multifamily Mindset focuses specifically on multifamily properties, while Trump University covered broader real estate topics, including foreclosures.

Playbook Comparison Trump University:

Sales Tactics: Trump University’s “playbooks” (released in 2016 lawsuits) detailed aggressive, high-pressure sales strategies. Staff were trained to exploit financial weaknesses, encouraging attendees to max out credit cards, open new ones, or tap into home equity and retirement funds to afford courses. Instructors used scripted pitches to dismiss objections, create urgency, and push for immediate sign-ups, often during seminar breaks. Students were asked to disclose personal financial details, which instructors used to tailor upsells for expensive packages (e.g., $34,995 Gold Elite). Structure: Free 90-minute seminars led to three-day workshops ($1,495–$1,995), which were primarily sales pitches for costly mentorships. The playbook emphasized emotional manipulation and portraying cheaper options as inadequate. Deceptive Practices: Lawsuits revealed instructors were not “handpicked” by Trump, and many lacked real estate expertise. The program was criticized as a “fraudulent scheme” that prioritized sales over education. Multifamily Mindset:

Sales Tactics: Multifamily Mindset employs a similar funnel: free one-day events lead to a three-day seminar ($997, with a $300 travel voucher) that promotes a premium mentorship program costing $38,997 (or $35,000–$40,000 per some reviews). Critics, like Zach Harsh, describe high-pressure sales presentations that paint “unrealistic” pictures of easy millions, urging attendees to find funds (e.g., tapping home equity or retirement savings) to join. Some reports claim coaches pressured students to pay by emphasizing life-changing potential, similar to Trump University’s tactics. Structure: The three-day seminar covers foundational multifamily real estate topics (e.g., acquisition processes, raising capital, broker relationships), but critics note it serves as a platform to upsell the costly mentorship. The program promises access to the founders’ “money partners” and deal sponsorship, though some students reported unfulfilled promises, such as coaches backing out of deals, causing financial losses. Deceptive Practices: Negative reviews highlight broken promises, such as founders failing to sponsor deals or slandering students to brokers. Some students felt misled about the program’s value, with coaches prioritizing fees over student success. However, there’s no evidence of legal action akin to Trump University’s $25 million settlement. Similarity: Both programs use a tiered sales funnel starting with free or low-cost events to lure attendees into expensive commitments. High-pressure tactics, such as urging attendees to leverage personal finances, appear in both, as do upselling strategies that downplay cheaper options. Both have faced accusations of overpromising results and underdelivering value, with Multifamily Mindset’s critics echoing Trump University’s students’ complaints about unfulfilled promises. However, Multifamily Mindset’s playbook is less documented, as no internal manuals have been publicly released like Trump University’s.

Pricing Comparison Trump University:

Free Seminar: 90-minute introductory session, designed as a sales pitch. Three-Day Seminar: $1,495–$1,995 for a “Profit From Real Estate Workshop.” Mentorship Programs: Ranged from $9,995 to $34,995 (Trump Gold Elite package). Total Cost: Lawsuits claimed over $40 million was collected from students, with some paying up to $35,000 for minimal value. Multifamily Mindset:

Free Seminar: One-day event to attract attendees, serving as a pitch for paid programs. Three-Day Seminar: $997 (includes a plus-one, with a $300 travel voucher; refundable if a deal is closed within six months). Mentorship Program: Starter package at $8,000; premium mentorship at $38,997 (or $35,000–$40,000 per reviews). Total Cost: No aggregate figures are available, but individual costs align closely with Trump University’s higher-tier offerings. Similarity: The pricing structures are strikingly similar, with both offering free introductory events, mid-tier seminars around $1,000–$2,000, and premium mentorships in the $35,000–$40,000 range. Both programs position their most expensive offerings as essential for success, using lower-cost seminars as gateways to upsell. The refund offer in Multifamily Mindset’s seminar (if a deal is closed) is a slight variation but mirrors Trump University’s focus on pushing financial commitment.

Key Differences Scope and Focus: Trump University covered broad real estate topics, including foreclosures, and operated as a for-profit entity under The Trump Organization. It was not accredited and faced legal consequences for misrepresenting itself as a “university.” Multifamily Mindset specializes in multifamily real estate and operates as an educational platform without claiming university status. It has not faced lawsuits on the scale of Trump University, though negative reviews suggest dissatisfaction. Legal and Reputational Fallout: Trump University’s documented fraud led to a $25 million settlement in 2016, with over 6,000 students eligible for refunds. Its playbooks and instructor testimonies confirmed deceptive practices. Multifamily Mindset has faced criticism on forums like BiggerPockets for unfulfilled promises and high-pressure sales, but no formal lawsuits or settlements are documented. Its reputation is mixed, with some positive student reviews but significant negative feedback about ethics and delivery. Founder Involvement: Trump had minimal involvement in Trump University’s operations, despite marketing claims. Deveraux and Woolley are actively involved in Multifamily Mindset, with Deveraux claiming a portfolio of 1,500+ units, though critics question their credentials and commitment to students. Conclusion: Do They Follow the Same Playbook? Yes, Multifamily Mindset appears to closely follow Trump University’s pitch, playbook, and pricing in several ways:

Shared Tactics: Both use free seminars as a gateway to upsell expensive programs, employ high-pressure sales tactics (e.g., leveraging credit or home equity), and promise transformative wealth through real estate. The tiered pricing structures are nearly identical, with premium offerings in the $35,000–$40,000 range. Aspirational Branding: Both leverage the founders’ perceived success to attract attendees, with Trump University using Trump’s celebrity and Multifamily Mindset touting Deveraux’s portfolio. Criticisms of Value: Both have faced accusations of overpromising and underdelivering, with students reporting minimal educational value relative to costs. Multifamily Mindset’s negative reviews echo Trump University’s complaints about unfulfilled promises and self-serving coaches. However, Multifamily Mindset operates on a smaller scale, focuses on a niche (multifamily properties), and lacks the legal fallout of Trump University. While its tactics resemble Trump University’s playbook, there’s no direct evidence (e.g., released internal documents) confirming an identical operational manual. The similarities suggest Multifamily Mindset may be emulating a common real estate seminar model, of which Trump University was a high-profile example, rather than directly copying it. This model—free events, upselling, and high-cost mentorships—is prevalent in real estate education but raises ethical concerns when promises outstrip delivery.

Critical Note: While the parallels are strong, Multifamily Mindset’s lack of legal consequences and narrower focus distinguish it from Trump University’s well-documented fraud. Potential students should approach with caution, researching reviews (e.g., BiggerPockets) and avoiding high-pressure financial commitments.