Posted on 04/22/2020 6:13:47 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
President Donald Trump’s signature hotel in the nation’s capital wants a break on the terms of its lease. The landlord determining the fate of the request is Trump’s own administration.
Trump International Hotel, just a few blocks from the White House, had been a favored gathering place for lobbyists, foreign dignitaries and others hoping to score points with the president. But like most hotels, it is now nearly empty and looking to cut costs because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In recent weeks, the president’s family business has inquired about changing its lease payments, according to people familiar with the matter, which the federal government has reported amount to nearly $268,000 per month.
The Trump Organization owns and operates the luxury hotel, but it is in a federally owned building on Pennsylvania Avenue. As part of its deal to open the 263-room hotel, the company signed a 60-year lease in 2013 that requires the monthly payments to the General Services Administration.
Eric Trump, the president’s son, confirmed that the company had opened a conversation about possible changes to the terms of the lease, which could include adjustments to future monthly payments. The Trump Organization has said it is current on its rent.
The younger Trump said the company was asking the GSA for any relief that it might be granting other federal tenants. The president still owns the company, but his eldest sons run the day-to-day operations.
“Just treat us the same,” Eric Trump said in a statement Tuesday. “Whatever that may be is fine.”
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
The times is Fake News
I see no problem with this. Trumps ownership in this particular property may or may not be 100%. Many of his holdings are partially owned by him with the rest owned by partners.
Trump is not and should not be privileged in getting the help offered by the government but neither is he shut out from it and his partners if any should not be denied that which is available to others simply because of an association with him.
I wonder, have any of Pelosi’s companies asked for help? Inquiring minds want to know.
Agree 100%.
Of course the hotel should get equal relief....similar to any other hotel.
It took three liars to put this drivel together?
In this case Trump owns the lease. He didn't license his name to a third party.
Trump is not and should not be privileged in getting the help offered by the government but neither is he shut out from it and his partners if any should not be denied that which is available to others simply because of an association with him.
All that makes perfect sense in theory. But Trump is the president and he chose not to divest himself of the company or put it in trust. So even if financial assistance is completely above board and the treatment is no different than that available to other companies it is still Trump benefitting from a government program he promoted and it will be used as a campaign issue by the Democrats. This is another 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation.
I've hear the President say that serving as President has cost him a fortune. I've also heard him say that it's a sacrifice he's more than willing to make.I think this situation requires him to just "take the hit" for the good of the nation...that is,to increase his chances of being re-elected.
Exactly. His hotels should not be treated any better or any worse then other hotels seeking relief.
The Trump organization should not be punished though, simply because Trump is President. Are other hotel chains getting relief? If so, then this hotel should be considered the same as any other hotel. Period.
I was pretty sure the relief bill had a provision that businesses owned by the President or members of Congress could not receive any funds.
The benefits of the program also extend to the employees. Why should Trumps employees be treated any different than other companies. Trump is not the only politician that owns hotels. Just make sure what is done is transparent.
Trump’s companies should get the same bailouts as everybody else.
So let the Libs use it as a campaign issue. Will they also use the fact Trump is working for FREE?
AS for his businesses, I don’t know if he has placed them in a Trust or not but I do know he has forsworn involvement in the operation of his businesses.
Lets have a look at EVERY single elected official and see what their involvement they have in any businesses and whether or not they take government cash.
“I was pretty sure the relief bill had a provision that businesses owned by the President or members of Congress could not receive any funds.”
I highly doubt he would have applied for assistance if under the terms of the assistance it was specifically prohibited.
Perhaps the NYT piece is simply bullsh*t. It would not surprise me were it to be so.
What's the relevance? If he foregoes a salary and makes even more in government assistance then your argument falls apart.
AS for his businesses, I don’t know if he has placed them in a Trust or not but I do know he has forsworn involvement in the operation of his businesses.
He has not placed them in trust and it's impossible to know how involved he is in the day-to-day running.
Lets have a look at EVERY single elected official and see what their involvement they have in any businesses and whether or not they take government cash.
A very fair point. No member of Congress or the Administration should be benefitting from this. All should be prepared to show that hey have not.
It is highly likely. I'm willing to bet the quote from Eric Trump is out of context.
Revising a lease is not “government assistance” under the relief bill.
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