Staff Reports
Rumors of a potential comeback for one of the Trump Organization’s former crown jewels, the Trump International Hotel, are heating up faster than a summer BBQ. Eric Trump, son of the former president and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, has been spotted meeting with an executive from BDT & MSD Partners, the merchant bank that currently controls the long-term lease for the hotel. This property, nestled in the charming Old Post Office building, once thrived under the Trump banner before being sold off in 2022 for a tidy sum of $375 million.
After the sale, the hotel landed in a bit of a pickle as CGI Merchant Group, the new leaseholder, defaulted on their obligations, leaving a staggering $252.7 million owed as of May. Naturally, when a property hits a foreclosure auction, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Trump family is hard to ignore. Reports suggest that Eric Trump is keen on reacquiring the lease, potentially shelling out over $300 million. Now that sounds like a real estate deal only the Trump family could manage to pull off, doesn’t it?
The Trumps Are in Talks to Reclaim Their Prized D.C. Hotel – WSJ https://t.co/6TH6oA3Q8h
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) January 11, 2025
The initial purchase of the Old Post Office in 2012 was no casual afternoon shopping spree. The Trump Organization won that lease in a nail-biting bidding war, showing their prowess in navigating the bureaucratic mazes of government procurement. With Eric’s recent consultation as a sign of serious intention, the hotel might just be taking on that classic name again, giving Democrats a reason to clutch their pearls about Trump profiting off of foreign dignitaries yet again. After all, who could resist the notion of world leaders lifting their glasses in luxury at a Trump-branded hotel?
While the Trump name may yet be a question mark, one thing is for sure: the hotel was no stranger to controversy. During Trump’s first term, Democrats had a field day claiming he was cashing in on his presidency every time a foreign official booked a suite. The attacks may have been relentless, but they undoubtedly raised the profile of the establishment. Eric Trump’s recent chatter about addressing any potential conflict-of-interest concerns shows he might be ready to tackle this whole narrative head-on, turning what was once a sore spot into a triumphant return for the iconic brand.
In the meantime, while the future of the Trump International Hotel hangs in the balance, the Trump Organization continues to push forward. They are developing a new golf course in Scotland and eyeing projects in Oman, India, and Indonesia—turning their sights globally while strategizing their domestic comeback. With a sleek room at current rates starting at $1,395 per night under its present ownership, it’s clear that the hotel has maintained a reputation for luxury. Whether the Trump family will reclaim their foothold there remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: if they do, it will make for some top-tier political theater.
