Remember when we used to say that someone or something was "larger than life"? Now, so much of what we view as "entertainment" is life — reality television is pervasive. In fact, author, cultural historian, and media critic Neal Gabler argues that life itself has become the dominant medium of the new century and celebrity its most compelling product. In his book, Life the Movie, Gabler says that the public’s hunger for entertainment — and the exploitation of that hunger — have combined to make everything from business to politics to the news into branches of show business. He points out that the public and the media are obsessed with celebrity, gossip, and real-life melodrama. And not only are we all an audience for this life spectacular, but also we’re performance artists acting out our own dramas.

Enter Donald Trump.

The billionaire developer has become the latest phenomenon on the stage of life and reality television … not that he ever shied away from the limelight. Still, we’re entranced anew as he recovers a lost golf hole from the ocean and prepares to unveil Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles on "the best piece of real estate" he’s ever seen. His projects, if not "the biggest," are certainly, by his assessment, "the best."

Yes, The Donald continues to embrace what he calls "truthful hyperbole," but now with a newfound respect, thanks, in part, to his hit show, The Apprentice. Deadlines being what they are, suspense is still building at this writing for the final episode of The Apprentice to unfold. (Of course, the finale is going to be "live," what else.) But whatever the outcome for the show’s contestants, Trump is the big winner. There’s something to be said about a guy who can make "You’re Fired" his trademark while gaining in popularity.

Another winner is Los Angeles’ City Club on Bunker Hill that claims Trump as one of its newest members as he expands his real estate realm in Southern California. While in the L.A. area recently, he graciously allowed Private Clubs to spend the better part of a day with him conducting an interview and cover photo shoot. We became fans.

Enjoy the issue,
Patricia Baldwin
Editor in chief

Photography by Thomas Alleman.