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Money can't buy human decency, but it can help you get Ferraris and penthouses.

My question is thus: was he raised this way or did he become this horrible person once he struck it rich?

I suspect he didn't grow up. Dropped out of high school at 16, knew he was smart, never had any humbling experiences, etc, etc. Not at all to excuse his god awful behaviour.

Actually this makes a lot of sense, basically struck it rich as a child and never had to go through the normal social experiences that help define who we are and our values. Believes that money is what defines him and everything in the world can be solved by more of it.

Michelle Obama has said that something to the effect of: "the presidency does not change who you are, it reveals who you are."

Wealth, like power, I imagine, has the same effect.

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