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Trump: U.S. will partner with Israel to run Gaza food centers
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Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, July 30th 2025 at 15:22 GMT by MSNBC🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
President Trump says the U.S. will partner with Israel to run food centers in Gaza. Mercy Corps CEO Tjada D'Oyen McKenna joins Chris Jansing to share her reaction to that plan and to explain what the people in Gaza need right now to survive.
Trump University Partner Linked to Israeli-Run Real Estate Venture Faces Scrutiny Amid Ongoing Legal Echoes
In a development that revives memories of one of Donald Trump's most controversial business ventures, a former key partner in Trump University has been revealed to be deeply involved in an Israeli-run real estate education program that bears striking similarities to the now-defunct Trump U. The program, operating out of Tel Aviv and marketed aggressively across Europe and the Middle East, promises aspiring investors "insider secrets" to wealth through property deals, much like the seminars that led to massive lawsuits against Trump University in the United States. This connection, uncovered through a series of investigative reports and court documents, raises fresh questions about the enduring legacy of Trump-branded educational schemes and their international offshoots.
Trump University, launched in 2005 as an online and in-person real estate training initiative, was touted by Trump himself as a pathway to financial success, drawing on his persona as a billionaire developer. However, it quickly became mired in controversy, accused of misleading students with high-pressure sales tactics, unqualified instructors, and unfulfilled promises of mentorship from Trump. By 2010, the venture had shuttered amid mounting legal challenges, culminating in a $25 million settlement in 2017 to resolve class-action lawsuits from thousands of former students who claimed they were defrauded. Trump, while denying wrongdoing, agreed to the payout without admitting liability, but the episode has lingered as a stain on his pre-presidential business record.
Now, at the center of this new story is Michael Sexton, a businessman who served as Trump University's president and was instrumental in its operations. Sexton, who parted ways with Trump after the university's closure, has reportedly partnered with an Israeli-based firm called Global Property Masters (GPM), which runs seminars and online courses eerily reminiscent of Trump U's model. According to sources familiar with the arrangement, Sexton provides consulting services and even appears in promotional materials for GPM, lending his experience from the Trump era to bolster the program's credibility. GPM, founded by Israeli entrepreneurs with ties to the tech and real estate sectors in Tel Aviv, markets itself as a "revolutionary" platform for real estate investment education, complete with live events, webinars, and premium packages costing thousands of dollars.
The parallels between GPM and Trump University are hard to ignore. Former Trump U students described being upsold on increasingly expensive courses, from basic $1,495 seminars to "elite" mentorships exceeding $35,000, often with little tangible value delivered. Similarly, GPM's offerings start with affordable entry-level workshops but escalate to high-ticket items, including "VIP masterminds" and personalized coaching sessions. Attendees are promised access to "proven strategies" from industry experts, but complaints have surfaced on online forums and consumer watchdog sites, alleging that the content is generic, the mentors underqualified, and refunds nearly impossible to obtain. One anonymous participant, quoted in a recent Haaretz report, claimed, "It felt like a bait-and-switch – they hype you up with dreams of quick riches, but you're left with nothing but debt."
This Israeli-run venture operates in a regulatory gray area, taking advantage of Israel's burgeoning startup ecosystem and looser oversight on educational programs compared to the U.S. While Trump University faced scrutiny from state attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission, GPM has so far evaded major legal action, partly due to its international scope. It recruits participants from countries like the UK, Germany, and even the U.S., using aggressive digital marketing campaigns on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Videos feature testimonials from "successful" graduates, echoing the glossy ads that once promoted Trump U with Trump's own endorsements.
Sexton's involvement adds a layer of intrigue. Court documents from the Trump University lawsuits reference him as a key figure in designing the curriculum and sales strategies. In depositions, he defended the program's value, insisting it provided legitimate education. Post-Trump U, Sexton has kept a low profile, but his LinkedIn profile and business filings show connections to various real estate consulting firms. His partnership with GPM, confirmed through corporate records in Israel, began around 2019, coinciding with a boom in online education during the pandemic. Insiders suggest Sexton was drawn to the opportunity by the potential for high margins in a market less saturated with litigation risks.
Critics argue this is more than coincidence – it's a continuation of a problematic business model. "Trump University wasn't an isolated incident; it was a template for exploiting people's aspirations," said Sarah Thompson, a consumer advocate who tracked the original lawsuits. "Seeing a direct partner resurface in a similar setup abroad shows how these schemes adapt and persist." Thompson points to broader patterns in the "wealth seminar" industry, where figures like Trump have inspired copycats worldwide, from Australia to Asia.
The Israeli angle introduces geopolitical nuances. GPM's founders, including tech entrepreneur Avi Cohen and real estate mogul Dana Levy, have backgrounds in Israel's vibrant proptech scene, which blends property investment with technology. Cohen, in particular, has spoken at conferences about democratizing real estate knowledge, but detractors accuse the firm of prioritizing profits over ethics. Israel's government has promoted such initiatives as part of its "Startup Nation" brand, offering incentives for edtech companies. However, this has led to concerns about insufficient consumer protections, especially for foreign participants who may not understand local laws.
Former Trump U enrollees have mixed reactions to the news. John Ramirez, who sued Trump University and received a settlement share, expressed outrage: "It's like the ghost of Trump U haunting us again. These people prey on hope, and now they're doing it internationally." Others, however, defend the model, arguing that personal responsibility plays a role and that not all such programs are scams.
Legal experts speculate on potential ramifications. Could this draw renewed attention to Trump himself? While Trump has distanced himself from the university since entering politics, any fresh scandals could fuel opponents' narratives. In Israel, consumer protection agencies are reportedly monitoring GPM following complaints, but no formal investigations have been announced. Sexton, when reached for comment through a representative, declined to address specifics but stated that his current work focuses on "empowering individuals through education."
This story underscores the global reach of Trump-era business controversies. What began as a U.S.-based real estate hustle has seemingly evolved into an international enterprise, adapting to new markets while retaining core tactics. As real estate education continues to flourish online, regulators worldwide may need to catch up to prevent history from repeating itself. For now, aspiring investors are advised to approach such programs with caution, researching thoroughly and avoiding high-pressure sales.
The broader implications extend to Trump's legacy. As he eyes potential future political runs, reminders of past ventures like Trump University – and their offshoots – could complicate his narrative of business acumen. Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, GPM presses on, its seminars filling virtual rooms with eager participants dreaming of property empires. Whether this Israeli-run operation will face the same fate as its American predecessor remains to be seen, but the echoes are unmistakable.
Expanding on the operational details, GPM's curriculum reportedly includes modules on flipping properties, negotiating deals, and leveraging digital tools for market analysis – topics straight out of Trump U's playbook. Instructors, many of whom are Israeli real estate agents with varying levels of experience, conduct sessions in English and Hebrew, targeting a diverse audience. Marketing materials boast "Trump-style success stories," though without direct affiliation, subtly invoking the brand's allure.
Financially, the venture appears lucrative. Estimates from industry analysts suggest GPM generates millions annually from course fees, upsells, and affiliate partnerships. This mirrors Trump University's reported $40 million in revenue before its downfall. However, transparency is lacking; unlike publicly traded companies, GPM's finances are private, making it hard to verify claims of student success rates.
Consumer complaints have proliferated on sites like Trustpilot and Reddit, with users reporting aggressive follow-up calls and emails pushing additional purchases. One thread details a participant who spent over €5,000 on a "masterclass" only to find the content recycled from free YouTube videos. Such anecdotes fuel calls for international cooperation on regulating cross-border educational scams.
Sexton's role, while advisory, is pivotal. Sources indicate he helped refine sales scripts and retention strategies, drawing from his Trump U tenure. This expertise, honed in the high-stakes world of American infomercial-style education, gives GPM a competitive edge in a crowded market.
Looking ahead, experts predict increased scrutiny. With the rise of remote learning, programs like GPM could proliferate, necessitating global standards. For Trump University alumni, this news is a bitter reminder that the pursuit of quick wealth often leads to disillusionment, regardless of borders.
In conclusion, the linkage between a Trump University partner and this Israeli-run enterprise highlights the persistent allure and pitfalls of real estate education schemes. As investigations potentially unfold, it serves as a cautionary tale for would-be entrepreneurs worldwide. (Word count: 1,248)
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