The ‘Science Fiction’ Behind Trump’s $1.6 Trillion Pledge Parade

Masayoshi Son, founder of the prolific investor Softbank Group Corp. and the third-richest person in Japan, was in the middle of pledging $100 billion in US investments alongside Donald Trump at his private club in Florida when the incoming US president interrupted him. “Would you make it $200 billion?” Trump asked him, turning to reporters at the December event. “Believe it or not, he can actually afford to do that.”

Son, known as Masa to some, broke out in laughter, called Trump a “great negotiator” and patted him on the back. Trump barely broke a smile. “$200 billion,” he ...