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Created Jan 0001
Status Verified Sarcastic
Type Existential Dread
Keywords
donald trump, the apprentice, forbes, allen weisselberg, corporate death penalty, frederick trump, elizabeth christ trump, queens, new york, spanish flu

The Trump Organization

“The Trump Organization, Inc. is a privately held American conglomerate that encompasses the vast business interests and investments of Donald Trump. With a...”

Contents
  • 1. Overview
  • 2. Etymology
  • 3. Cultural Impact

The Trump Organization, Inc. is a privately held American conglomerate that encompasses the vast business interests and investments of Donald Trump . With a sprawling network of approximately 250 affiliated companies and subsidiaries, the ubiquitous “Trump” name is a hallmark of its diverse portfolio. Donald Trump first joined the family enterprise in 1968, assuming leadership in 1971 and officially renaming it the Trump Organization around 1974. Upon his election as President of the United States in 2016, he relinquished operational control to his children, entrusting them with the stewardship of the company.

The Trump Organization’s core activities revolve around real estate development, investment, brokerage, sales, marketing, and property management. Its extensive holdings include hotels, residential properties, resorts, residential towers, and numerous golf courses situated across the globe. Beyond real estate, the organization has ventured into a wide array of industries, including construction, hospitality, casinos, entertainment, publishing, media, model management, retail, financial services, food and beverage, business education, online travel, aviation, and beauty pageants. Notably, the organization also produced the highly successful reality television franchise, The Apprentice . Its retail operations have spanned fashion apparel, jewelry, home furnishings, and even food products like steaks and vodka, often bearing the Trump brand.

Due to the private nature of the Trump Organization’s financial statements and Donald Trump’s personal tax returns , its precise valuation remains a subject of speculation, with a wide range of estimates put forth. Trump has been accused of deliberately inflating property valuations through aggressive media engagement, particularly with publications like Forbes , to enhance his perceived net worth. These practices have drawn scrutiny, with New York investigators examining the organization for potential financial fraud. In 2021, the organization faced criminal charges for an alleged 15-year tax avoidance scheme. Further investigations revealed discrepancies in property valuations presented to lenders versus tax officials. The organization’s chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg , pleaded guilty to multiple felonies related to tax fraud and grand larceny. In 2023, a judge ruled that Trump and his organization had repeatedly committed fraud, leading to the cancellation of their New York business certificates and their placement into receivership for dissolution, a ruling widely described as a “corporate death penalty ”. Subsequently, Trump was ordered to pay significant penalties, with further restrictions imposed on his business activities in New York.

History

Background

The origins of The Trump Organization can be traced back to Donald Trump’s grandparents, Frederick Trump and Elizabeth Christ Trump , German immigrants who settled in Queens, New York in 1907. Frederick began his career in real estate development there. Tragically, he succumbed to the “Spanish flu ” pandemic in 1918, leaving behind an estate valued at $31,359.

Following her husband’s death, Elizabeth adeptly continued the real estate business. She oversaw the construction of houses on Frederick’s vacant lots, managed their sale, and profited from the mortgages she provided to buyers. Her middle child, Fred Trump , Donald Trump’s father, entered the carpentry trade after graduating high school in 1923. While Fred claimed to have completed his first single-family home in 1924, other accounts place his building endeavors starting in 1927. In that year, Fred reached the age of majority , and the company, which Elizabeth had been using in advertisements since 1921 as “E. Trump & Son,” was formally incorporated.

Under Fred Trump’s leadership, the company expanded into developing more affluent housing in Jamaica Estates in 1929. Despite facing financial difficulties during the deepening Great Depression , which led to the company’s temporary closure, Fred reopened the business in real estate after a brief foray into operating a supermarket. In 1933, Fred Trump and a business partner acquired the mortgage-servicing subsidiary of a bankrupt Brooklyn firm, J. Lehrenkrauss & Co. This strategic move granted Trump access to numerous properties nearing foreclosure , which he acquired at low prices and subsequently sold for profit, quickly establishing himself as a prominent young businessman in New York City. The company relocated to Brooklyn in 1935, where, in addition to Queens, Trump was a prolific builder of single-family homes.

During World War II , Trump’s company was involved in constructing apartments and temporary housing for military personnel in Virginia and Pennsylvania. In 1944, he shifted his focus back to Brooklyn, initiating plans for large-scale apartment building developments. This led to the opening of the Shore Haven complex in 1949, followed by Beach Haven in 1950 and the sizable Trump Village in 1964.

Leadership under Donald Trump

Donald Trump began working for his father’s company while pursuing his studies at the University of Pennsylvania , officially joining the firm in 1968. In the early 1970s, Fred assumed the role of chairman of the board, while Donald was appointed president. It was around 1973 that he began referring to the business as the Trump Organization. While the company had been known by various names, including the Fred C. Trump Organization and the Trump Organization, this marked a more consistent branding effort.

Civil Rights Suit

In 1973, the U.S. Department of Justice ’s Civil Rights Division filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Trump Organization, alleging violations of the 1968 Fair Housing Act through discriminatory rental practices against Black people . Investigations, involving Black and White testers applying for apartments in Trump-owned buildings, revealed that White testers were consistently offered rentals while Black testers were not. Court records indicated that rental agents had coded applications by race for central office review. A 1979 article in The Village Voice quoted a rental agent who claimed Fred Trump had instructed him to refuse rentals to Black individuals and encourage existing Black tenants to vacate. A subsequent consent decree in 1975, described as one of the most significant of its kind, mandated Trump to advertise vacancies in minority publications and collaborate with the Urban League. Despite these measures, the Justice Department noted the persistent occurrence of discriminatory conduct by Trump’s agents, creating a substantial barrier to equal housing opportunities.

Manhattan Developments and Expansion

Donald Trump strategically focused his development efforts on Manhattan, initiating significant projects. In partnership with Hyatt , he oversaw the renovation of the Commodore Hotel into the Grand Hyatt New York, which opened in 1980. He then collaborated with The Equitable to construct Trump Tower , completed in 1983, followed by Trump Plaza in 1984. His portfolio extended to Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he opened three casino hotels: Trump Plaza in 1984, Trump Castle in 1985, and the opulent Trump Taj Mahal in 1990.

In 1989, New York State officials mandated the Grand Hyatt New York , then co-owned by the Trump Organization and Hyatt Corporation, to remit $2.9 million in withheld rent to New York City. These funds had been held back due to “unusual” accounting changes that Donald Trump had approved. An audit by New York City auditors revealed a lack of basic financial records and the utilization of accounting procedures that contravened generally accepted accounting principles .

The real estate downturn of 1990 placed the Trump Organization in a precarious financial position, with rumors of impending collapse. Donald Trump and his companies were reportedly indebted to 72 banks, with personal guarantees totaling $800 million. To navigate this crisis, Trump appointed Stephen Bollenbach as the company’s first chief financial officer , with Allen Weisselberg continuing his role as controller. Over the subsequent years, Trump focused on debt renegotiation and divested certain assets, including the Trump Shuttle airline and a stake in the Plaza Hotel . Bollenbach departed the company in 1992. In 1995, Trump bolstered his financial standing by launching a publicly traded entity for his casinos, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts . While Trump was perceived to be making a comeback by 1996, the casino company ultimately faced bankruptcy, resulting in Trump’s loss of his stake.

In 1997, Fred Trump transferred the majority of his real estate portfolio to his four surviving children: Donald, Robert , Maryanne , and Elizabeth . The reported value of these properties for tax purposes was $41.4 million. Fred Trump passed away in 1999. In 2004, the siblings sold the apartment buildings for $737.9 million, marking the family’s departure from the ownership of their father’s original business empire.

Financing

During the real estate boom of the 1980s, Trump acquired numerous properties, accumulating a debt of $4 billion across 72 banks by 1990. The market slump that year threatened the organization’s solvency, prompting negotiations between Trump and his lenders to restructure his debts. These negotiations resulted in banks forgiving a portion of Trump’s debt. Subsequently, Trump’s casinos underwent bankruptcies that significantly impacted his bondholders. Following these events, Trump found it challenging to secure new financing from mainstream financial institutions.

Deutsche Bank , which was expanding its presence in the U.S. during the 1990s, provided Trump with a loan of approximately $425 million in 1998. This expansion was marked by questionable practices, including currency and interest rate manipulation, and money laundering. Deutsche Bank’s involvement with Trump included providing financial instruments designed to mitigate risk and external scrutiny, and facilitating connections with wealthy international clients interested in U.S. real estate. Between 2000 and 2010, Trump borrowed $2 billion from the bank, with approximately $360 million outstanding in 2016.

From 2000 onwards, the Trump Organization held a 50% stake in TD Trump Deutschland AG , a joint venture with a German company, with plans to construct a skyscraper named “Trump Tower Europe” in Frankfurt , Berlin , or Stuttgart . However, the company allegedly failed to remit the full €2 million share, leading to at least three lawsuits and the company’s dissolution in 2005.

By mid-2016, reports emerged of a pattern where the Trump Organization, particularly under Donald Trump’s leadership, allegedly failed to compensate contractors and workers for services rendered. Numerous lawsuits and liens were filed by individuals and companies claiming non-payment or settlements at significantly reduced rates.

Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Jr. , remarked at a 2008 real estate conference that “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets” regarding high-end U.S. property influx. Golf writer James Dodson recounted an exchange with Eric Trump in 2014, where Eric allegedly stated that the organization secured its golf resort funding “out of Russia” because they did not rely on American banks. Eric Trump later denied this statement, although the organization’s financing has been linked to Russian capital. The organization’s extensive international projects raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest given Donald Trump’s position as President of the United States.

Valuation Disputes

The private nature of the Trump Organization’s financial statements and Donald Trump’s personal tax returns makes independent valuation challenging, leading to a wide spectrum of estimates. Trump has faced accusations of deliberately inflating property values through aggressive media lobbying, particularly targeting publications like Forbes for its annual Forbes 400 list, in an effort to bolster his public image of wealth. He has provided limited definitive financial documentation to substantiate his valuation claims.

The valuation of individual Trump Organization real estate holdings is complicated by potential encumbrances from debt. In October 2015, Forbes detailed its persistent efforts to estimate Trump’s net worth. A former Forbes journalist later claimed in an op-ed for The Washington Post that Trump had misrepresented his wealth to Forbes, suggesting that even Forbes’s lower-end estimates significantly exceeded Trump’s actual net worth.

In November 2021, The Washington Post reported that between 2011 and 2015, the Trump Organization presented significantly higher property valuations to potential lenders compared to those reported to tax authorities, a practice under scrutiny by New York prosecutors for potential fraud and tax evasion. The New York Times subsequently reported that prosecutors were investigating whether the organization selectively provided information to its accounting firm, Mazars , to generate favorable financial statements for lenders. In February 2022, Mazars announced it would no longer stand by its financial statements for the Trump Organization from 2010 to 2020, citing the ongoing investigation.

Trump Presidency

On January 11, 2017, prior to his inauguration as President of the United States, Donald Trump announced that he and his daughter Ivanka would resign from their roles, with his sons Donald Jr. and Eric assuming executive leadership of the businesses, supported by Chief Finance Officer Allen Weisselberg. Trump transferred his companies into a revocable trust , retaining the ability to influence its management. Despite his campaign pledge to place his assets in a blind trust , Trump maintained his financial stake. His attorney stated that an ethics officer would oversee the assets and that the Trump Organization would refrain from pursuing new foreign business deals.

However, Forbes reported in March 2017 that while some international deals were curtailed, the organization continued to pursue domestic agreements. Eric Trump’s statements regarding quarterly profitability updates to his father raised concerns from ethics experts like Larry Noble and Richard Painter , who questioned the “clear separation” claimed between the business and the presidency.

In March 2017, Forbes also highlighted 36 “mini-Trumps,” referring to the domestic and international partners associated with the Trump Organization, noting that many had attended Trump’s inauguration and stayed at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. . In April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic , Eric Trump confirmed the organization had requested rental relief for its Washington hotel from the General Services Administration.

By September 2020, it was revealed that Trump’s properties had charged the government over $1.1 million for services since the start of his presidency, including substantial monthly rent for the Secret Service at his Bedminster club. The Trump campaign also reportedly spent between $10 million and $17 million at Trump properties during his term.

Conflicts of Interest

Concerns regarding conflicts of interest emerged early in Trump’s presidency. China’s preliminary approval of 38 trademarks in Trump’s name for various branded businesses, including hotels and restaurants, raised questions, particularly as these applications predated his candidacy. In 2018 and 2019, China granted 23 trademarks to Trump-owned companies and Ivanka Trump while the U.S. and China were engaged in trade negotiations.

A January 2024 report from the Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee detailed over $7.8 million in payments from foreign governments to Trump-owned businesses during his presidency. The report suggested that further payments may have occurred due to the committee’s cessation of requests for financial records from Mazars after the Republican takeover of the House.

Investigations for Fraud and Tax Evasion

Background Investigations

In August 2018, the Manhattan district attorney was reportedly considering criminal charges against the Trump Organization and two senior executives concerning the accounting of hush money payments made by Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen , to Stormy Daniels .

A lengthy exposé by The New York Times in October 2018 detailed Donald Trump’s inheritance from his parents, Fred and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump . The report analyzed Trump family financial records, alleging a tax fraud scheme involving Trump and his siblings to evade over $500 million in gift and estate taxes through methods such as siphoning company funds and undervaluing transferred properties. Donald’s niece, Mary L. Trump , later elaborated on the use of a shell corporation to devalue Fred Trump’s business assets.

Michael Cohen testified before Congress in February 2019, alleging that Trump inflated asset values for publications like Forbes while deflating them for tax purposes. This testimony prompted the New York State Department of Financial Services to issue a subpoena to the organization’s insurance broker, Aon. By September 2019, the organization was under federal investigation by the Southern District of New York regarding allegations of inflated insurance claims.

In January 2020, the District of Columbia Attorney General , Karl Racine , filed a lawsuit against the organization and Trump’s inaugural committee, alleging the funneling of nonprofit funds through event accommodations and private parties at the Trump Hotel. Ivanka Trump’s testimony in December 2020 regarding her limited involvement was disputed by Mother Jones, which reported in June 2021 that her statements were false. Similar discrepancies were reported regarding Donald Jr.’s testimony in April 2021. A D.C. Superior Court judge initially dismissed part of the lawsuit and dropped the organization as a defendant, but later reinstated it in February 2022. In May, the organization and inaugural committee agreed to a $750,000 settlement benefiting D.C. nonprofits.

In August 2020, New York Attorney General Letitia James disclosed a civil investigation into the organization’s alleged asset inflation, seeking to compel the withholding of information. The Manhattan DA’s office, pursuing Trump’s tax returns, suggested in August 2020 that the organization was under investigation for bank and insurance fraud. Eric Trump reportedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 500 times during his deposition on October 5.

Criminal and Civil Charges

On May 18, 2021, the New York AG’s office announced its participation in the Manhattan DA’s criminal probe of the organization. The Manhattan DA convened a special grand jury to consider potential indictments. By June 2021, Allen Weisselberg, the longtime chief financial officer, and Matthew Calamari , the chief operating officer, were reportedly under scrutiny.

On July 1, 2021, the Manhattan district attorney filed criminal charges against the Trump Organization, citing a “15 year ‘scheme to defraud’ the government,” conspiracy, and falsifying business records. Ten charges were filed against the organization and its Trump Payroll Corporation entity, along with 15 felony counts against Weisselberg, including grand larceny and filing a false instrument. Prosecutors alleged that Weisselberg received approximately $1.76 million in undeclared benefits, such as free rent, car leases, and tuition for his grandchildren. Both the organization and Weisselberg pleaded not guilty . Weisselberg was subsequently removed from leadership roles in various Trump subsidiaries. Reports indicated Weisselberg invoked his Fifth Amendment right over 500 times.

The Manhattan DA convened a second grand jury in late October 2021 to examine evidence related to the company’s asset valuations. By November 22, prosecutors were investigating properties where valuations presented to lenders between 2011 and 2015 significantly differed from those reported to tax authorities, with the 40 Wall Street building cited as an example of a substantial discrepancy. Michael Cohen suggested that prosecutors could indict Donald Trump directly. On December 1, the New York AG subpoenaed Trump for a civil deposition, with subpoenas also issued to Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr.

By mid-December 2021, an accountant for Trump had testified before the grand jury. Reports suggested prosecutors were examining whether the organization provided selective information to Mazars USA for favorable financial statements. Mazars had included disclaimers with its financial statements, noting that Donald J. Trump was responsible for their preparation. The Republican National Committee agreed to cover up to $1.6 million of Trump’s legal expenses, characterizing the proceedings as “politically motivated.” In December 2021, Trump’s attorney filed a lawsuit against AG Letitia James, alleging political animus and civil rights violations, which was dismissed by a federal judge in May 2022.

On January 3, 2022, Trump’s legal team sought to block subpoenas for Donald Trump and his elder children, arguing the AG was attempting to bypass due process to gather evidence for the related criminal case. James countered that the Trumps were employing “delay tactics.” A judge rejected the argument that Trump belonged to a protected class and ordered the Trumps to testify, a ruling upheld by the First Judicial Department of the Supreme Court of New York State in May 2022. Trump was held in civil contempt for failing to produce subpoenaed documents. Cushman & Wakefield, the firm that conducted appraisals for Trump Organization properties, was also held in contempt for document delivery delays.

In February 2022, two top prosecutors resigned after District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicated he was not prepared to indict Trump personally, with one prosecutor stating Trump was “guilty of numerous felony violations.” Bragg’s office affirmed the investigation’s continuation. The criminal trial against the Trump Organization commenced on October 24. On December 6, 2022, a New York jury convicted the Trump Organization on all 17 tax fraud charges.

New York Civil Lawsuit for Fraud

On September 21, 2022, Attorney General Letitia James announced a civil lawsuit against Trump, his three eldest children, and the organization, alleging fraud and misrepresentation, with claims of Trump exaggerating his net worth by billions of dollars. The suit sought $250 million in penalties and future restrictions on the family’s business activities in New York. During his deposition, Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 440 times. In November, the judge approved James’s request for an independent monitor to oversee the organization and prevent future fraud. Concerns were raised about a new Delaware corporation, Trump Organization II, created shortly before the suit’s filing, potentially to shield assets.

In September 2023, the judge ruled that Trump, his sons, and the organization had repeatedly committed fraud, ordering the cancellation of their New York business certificates and the dissolution of their entities. In February 2024, Trump was ordered to pay over $350 million plus interest, with restrictions on leading New York companies for three years. His sons Donald Jr. and Eric were ordered to pay over $4 million each and barred from executive roles in New York firms for two years. The organization was placed under the oversight of an independent monitor. In March 2024, the New York Appeals Court reduced the payment to $175 million, which Trump posted as a bond.

IRS Audit

In 2024, reports indicated that the Internal Revenue Service was investigating whether Trump had improperly claimed deductions for losses related to his Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago) . The investigation focused on claims of construction cost overruns, lagging sales, and below-market unit sales, with Trump reportedly declaring the property worthless in his 2008 tax return. The IRS audit could result in a tax bill exceeding $100 million, plus interest and penalties.

“Corporate Death Penalty”

In September 2023, the judge presiding over the civil fraud lawsuit ruled that Trump and his organization had repeatedly committed fraud, ordering the cancellation of their New York business certificates and their dissolution, a measure termed the “corporate death penalty ” by observers.

Real Estate

As of 2019, Forbes estimated Trump’s net worth at $3.1 billion, with roughly half attributed to his New York City real estate holdings and a third to his national and international properties, including hotels and golf courses. Licensing fees for the use of the Trump name on external properties also contribute significantly to his wealth.

Selected Completed Properties

  • Trump Tower : Located at 725 Fifth Avenue , this 58-story mixed-use tower serves as the headquarters for the Trump Organization. Developed in partnership with The Equitable and opened in 1983, Trump later acquired Equitable’s stake. The building houses Trump’s primary residence and its office and retail components. Its value was estimated at $450 million in 2017, with a $100 million mortgage taken out in 2012.
  • Trump World Tower : Situated at 845 United Nations Plaza, this Midtown Manhattan tower generated an estimated $290 million in profits and unrealized appreciation for Trump by 2006.
  • AXA Financial Center (Manhattan) and 555 California Street (San Francisco) : Trump holds a 30% stake in these office buildings, acquired through a property swap involving Riverside South (New York City) . His stake was valued at a minimum of $850 million as of 2013.
  • The Trump Building at 40 Wall Street : Acquired in 1995 and renovated for $1 million, this building generated $20.89 million in pre-tax net operating income as of 2011. Its valuation ranged between $350 million and $400 million, with a $160 million mortgage. Forbes valued it at $260 million in 2006.
  • Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago : Trump’s stake in this $1.2 billion project was valued at $112 million.
  • Trump International Hotel Las Vegas : A joint development with Phil Ruffin and Jack Wishna , Trump’s stake was estimated at $162 million in 2006. By March 2017, it was described as a 50-50 partnership with Ruffin, managed by Eric Trump for the Trump Organization.
  • Trump International Hotel and Tower New York : Trump received $40 million for his name and expertise in the redevelopment of this building, with his stake valued at $12 million by Forbes.
  • Trump Park Avenue : Valued at $142 million, Trump owns 23 apartments and rents them for high monthly rates, along with 19 units at Trump Parc.
  • 6 East 57th Street: Trump holds a leasehold interest in this retail building adjacent to Trump Tower until 2079. Occupied by a Niketown store from 1996 to 2018, Trump’s interest was valued at $470 million in 2015.
  • Mar-a-Lago : This historic estate in Palm Beach, Florida was converted into a members-only resort. Its value was estimated at $250 million in 2013, with Trump also owning two adjacent private houses.
  • Seven Springs : This 213-acre estate near Bedford, New York was purchased by Trump for $7.5 million in 1995. Local brokers valued it at approximately $40 million in 2013. Trump’s development plans for the land were reportedly abandoned.
  • Beverly Hills house: Purchased for $7 million in 2007, this home was valued between $8.5 and $10 million in 2013 before being sold off-market for $13.5 million in June 2019.

Skating Rinks

  • Wollman Rink : In 1986, Trump rebuilt the Wollman Rink in Central Park ahead of schedule and under budget. He operated the rink for a year, donating profits to charity. In 1987, the Trump Organization also took over concessions for the Lasker Rink , holding both until 1995. A Trump subsidiary, Wollman Rink Operations LLC, secured another concession until April 30, 2021. The Trump name was prominently displayed, and Trump reported nearly $35 million in income from the rinks between 2015 and 2018. The contract expired in April 2021.

Trump Winery

Trump Winery , located near Charlottesville, Virginia , is valued between $5 million and $25 million. Trump purchased the distressed vineyard in April 2011, opening it in October of that year. His son Eric Trump was involved in the acquisition and now manages the winery.

Golf Courses

The Trump Organization owns or manages sixteen golf courses across the United States, Scotland, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates. In an 18-month period ending in 2015, Trump reported income of at least $176 million from these courses.

United States
International
  • Trump International Golf Club, Dubai: Managed by the Trump Organization and owned by Damac Properties , this course opened in 2017. Trump’s association with Damac chairman Hussain Sajwani has been cited as a potential conflict of interest.
  • Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland
  • Trump International Golf Links, Scotland : This links course faced controversy over environmental impact and a legal dispute concerning an offshore wind farm.
  • Trump Turnberry : Trump acquired this historic resort in 2014, despite earlier threats to withdraw investment in Scotland due to the wind farm controversy.
  • Trump World Golf Club, Dubai: A second course under construction by Damac, its opening was delayed until at least 2022.

Real Estate Licensing

Many developers pay Donald Trump to market their properties and lend their name to projects. Consequently, Trump does not directly own many of the buildings bearing his name. Forbes valued this segment of his business at $562 million, with 33 licensing projects in development, including seven Trump International Hotel and Tower developments. Trump has generated over $74 million in licensing deals and holds $823.3 million in joint venture real estate.

Manhattan
  • Trump Palace , 200 East 69th Street.
  • Trump Parc and Trump Parc East: Adjacent buildings on Central Park South.
  • Trump Plaza , 167 East 61st Street.
  • 610 Park Avenue: Trump is involved in the development of this property for Colony NorthStar .
  • Trump SoHo: Originally a partnership with Bayrock Group , this hotel was rebranded as The Dominick after the Trump Organization exited the project. Felix Sater , linked to Bayrock, was involved in its formation.
New York City Suburbs
Florida
Other Domestic
International
  • Elite Tower , Ramat Gan, [Israel]: Planned as Trump Plaza Tower, plans were shelved in 2007.
  • Trump International Hotel & Tower Lido Lake, West Java, [Indonesia]: A partnership with MNC Lido City, partially funded by the Chinese government.
  • Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver , [Vancouver]: A 63-story mixed-use tower completed in 2016. The hotel’s owner filed for bankruptcy in August 2020.
  • Trump Towers Istanbul , [Istanbul], Turkey.
  • Trump World Seoul , [Korea]: Trump received a $5 million licensing fee.
  • Daewoo Trump World Centum, Busan , [Korea].
  • The Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower , Dubai.
  • Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico : A planned hotel condominium project that collapsed due to financing issues.
  • Trump at Cap Cana: Located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
  • Trump Tower Manila , Makati City, Metro Manila, [Philippines]: Brand name and mark under license.
  • Trump Tower, Mumbai , India: A luxury residential project developed by Mangal Lodha .
  • Trump Towers Pune , [India]: Developed in association with Panchshil Realty.
  • Trump Towers, Gurgaon , India: Multiple projects with developers IREO and M3M India.
  • Trump Towers Kolkata , India: A residential project with Unimark Group.
  • As of February 2017, the Trump Organization had one active project in South America: Trump Tower Punta del Este in Punta del Este , Uruguay. The company had previously ended involvement in projects in Rio de Janeiro and dropped plans for an office project in Buenos Aires , Argentina.

Trump International Hotels Management LLC

This company, formerly known as Trump Hotel Collection (THC), manages Trump properties and branded hotels, residences, and golf courses globally. In 2008, THC partnered with Evergrande Real Estate Group for a skyscraper project in Guangzhou , but the bid failed. In 2012, Trump Hotels opened an office in Shanghai and entered a partnership with State Grid Corporation of China for a Beijing development, which was abandoned amid a Chinese corruption investigation.

Former Licensees

Abandoned Projects

  • Trump Tower, Batumi : In 2011, Trump licensed his name for a tower in Georgia, receiving a $1 million upfront fee and 12% of condo sales revenue. Following Trump’s election, he canceled the agreement without refunding the fee.
  • TD Trump Deutschland AG: Plans for a skyscraper in Berlin and later Stuttgart were abandoned due to financing concerns and the city’s doubts about Trump’s creditworthiness. Trump’s lawsuit against Stuttgart for damages was unsuccessful.

Former Properties

Scion and American Idea Hotels

The Trump Organization launched two new hotel brands, Scion and American Idea, early in the Trump presidency. However, these ventures were scrapped in early 2019, with only one hotel remaining incomplete in Mississippi.

Other Ventures and Investments

Beyond real estate, Trump has engaged in various other enterprises. These include a stake in Parker Adnan, Inc., licensing royalties from men’s wear, book royalties, and income from Trump Model Management. Until 2015, he owned the Miss Universe , Miss USA , and Miss Teen USA pageants.

Trump has licensed his name for numerous products and services with varying degrees of success. Some of his external ventures include:

In 2005, Trump reportedly received $1.5 million for a lecture at The Learning Annex , though he later admitted to receiving $400,000 in a deposition. The Trump Organization also housed ventures started by Ivanka Trump, including Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry and the Ivanka Trump Lifestyle Collection, which were discontinued. In March 2024, Trump began promoting the “$60 ‘God Bless the U.S.A. Bible’,” which includes the U.S. Constitution and other founding documents, with his name and likeness used under license. Signed copies were available for $1,000. After the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump, the phrase “The Day God Intervened” was added to the book’s cover. Reports in October 2024 indicated the Bibles were shipped from China, with an estimated value under $3 per Bible. Financial disclosures reported $300,000 in sales from the Bibles.

ACN, Inc.

From 2005 to 2015, Trump was paid $8.8 million for promoting the multi-level marketing telecommunications company ACN Inc. across various platforms. In 2018, investors filed a federal civil lawsuit against Donald Trump and his children for fraud and racketeering, alleging they did not disclose their compensation from ACN when recommending it as an investment. The Trumps were ordered to provide business records from 2005 onwards. In April 2020, a judge ordered MGM to release unaired tapes of Celebrity Apprentice episodes related to the lawsuit. The Trumps appealed this ruling. In November 2021, MGM was ordered to make the tapes available. Trump and his children were deposed in 2022. In May 2023, the plaintiffs withdrew claims against the children to streamline the case for trial, scheduled for January 29, 2024.

Trump Media & Technology Group

Trump registered Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) in February 2021 to provide social networking services, launching the platform Truth Social in 2022. In October 2021, Trump announced a planned merger of TMTG with Digital World Acquisition, a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) . This transaction is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission . The CEO of Digital World Acquisition severed ties with China in December 2021. By March 2023, Trump Media was reportedly being investigated by federal prosecutors for possible money laundering, having received $8 million from Russia-connected entities. Digital World Acquisition fired its CEO in March 2023 in anticipation of Trump’s indictment.

Coats of Arms

Donald Trump has utilized several logos styled as coats of arms for his businesses. The coat of arms originally granted to Joseph E. Davies, a former U.S. ambassador of Welsh descent, was adopted by the Trump Organization for its golf courses and estates after Trump purchased Davies’s former estate, Mar-a-Lago .

In 2008, Trump’s attempt to use an American logo at his Scottish golf course was met with a warning from the Lord Lyon King of Arms regarding unregistered arms. In 2011, a new coat of arms was granted to “The Trump International Golf Club Scotland Ltd.” Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of the Scottish golf links, explained that the design incorporated elements representing Trump’s heritage, including Scottish and German influences, and the motto “Numquam Concedere” (Never Give Up). This same logo was subsequently used for The Trump International Golf Links, Ireland .