Donald Trump Bankruptcy: Personal vs. Corporate Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a tool that allows debtors relief from their debt when they cannot pay it back. Through bankruptcy, a debtor can get a "financial fresh start."
However, there are six different types of bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code (the federal laws of U.S. bankruptcy): Chapters 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15. These chapters mainly differ in terms of who the debtor is. For example, farmers and fisherman can file for debt relief under Chapter 12 bankruptcy. Municipalities can file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.
When it comes to the issue of Donald Trump's bankruptcy, we are only concerned with Chapters 7 and 11.
That's because a Chapter 7 filing is indicative of poor financial management skills on behalf of the debtor — a red flag for voters evaluating a presidential candidate. But a Chapter 11 filing doesn't necessarily indicate poor management. In fact, it can be seen as a tool that improves a company's value for investors.
Here's the difference:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Allows an individual to be freed of most debt in exchange for a ruined lined of credit for 10 years.
- Chapter 11 bankruptcy: Allows a corporation to stay in business while it restructures its business and attempts to reduce its debt.
When Trump tweeted, "I never went bankrupt," he was being truthful. The real estate magnate has kept good order of his personal finances.
You see, all four of Donald Trump's bankruptcies were the Chapter 11 type. Each resulted from over-leveraged casino and hotel properties in Atlantic City.
"I've cut debt — by the way, this isn't me personally, it's a company," Trump clarified to
Forbes in April 2011. "Basically I've used the laws of the country to my advantage and to other people's advantage just as Leon Black has, Carl Icahn, Henry Kravis has, just as many, many others on top of the business world have."
Donald Trump Bankruptcy A Breakdown Ahead of the 2016 Elections