The left is only interested in smearing Trump, if that requires half truths, lies, intentional dishonesty they are fine with that. You can absolutely run a successful business and take a loss, this is in fact encouraged by the government and tax code and for good reason.
Typically the government encourages businesses to invest and grow their business thus creating more jobs and tax revenue. Purchasing capital equipment for example, bulldozers and excavators, cranes, trucks, which grows jobs for those manufacturing that equipment and the business purchasing them. Machinery which can be depreciated (that's a deduction for you idiot liberals) over time, the expense deducted from profits, hence its possible for a business to make a profit yet with deductions pay no taxes, but big picture its a win for everyone.
When the economy is in the ditch and millions are looking for work government will go so far as to allow businesses to write off the entire purchase price in the first year vs depreciating over several years to stimulate the economy and get people back to work.
Only in the dishonest lying world of liberals is this spun as a negative, only Hillary is spinning this as Trump not paying his fair share. This is why we don't need an ignorant lying moron like Hillary for president. Lets elect Trump a business man who understands what it takes to grow a business and put people back to work. As Trump has said, what do we have to lose, look around at what a mess these politicians have created.