NYC lawyers shred Trump in defending move to cancel Bronx golf course
New York, New York – The Trump name, once slapped on everything from steaks to casinos and skyscrapers, is now too toxic for a Bronx golf course.
City lawyers argued in a court filing that Mayor Bill de Blasio’s decision to cancel its deal for the ex-president to operate the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point was a legitimate response after the January 6 Capitol insurrection crippled Trump’s ability to draw major tournaments to the Bronx and trashed his reputation.
"The Trump name – once a key selling point for his businesses, including TFP and other of Trump’s golf course entities – was irretrievably tarnished,” the city maintained last month in its 37-page Manhattan court filing.
"Trump triggered the termination of the License by his campaign of false claims of voting fraud that culminated in his inciting supporters to attack the Capitol, and the resulting fall-out."
The city canceled the Ferry Point contract shortly after the Capitol attack while also refusing to renew licenses for the Trump Organization to operate two skating rinks and a carousel in Central Park – deals that put more than $17 million a year into the company’s pockets, according to de Blasio.
While three contracts had been set to expire in April, anyway, the one for the golf course was initially signed to last through spring 2032.
Trump Organization files lawsuit over canceled contracts
The Trump Organization responded with a June lawsuit alleging the city had unfairly targeted the developer, accusing the mayor of a "pre-existing, politically-based predisposition" to go after Trump. The organization did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
The city filing argued the mayor was hardly alone in his negative response to the chaos, in which Trump supporters went from a rally hosted by the then-president directly to the Capitol. The mob forced its way inside as lawmakers met to certify November election results. More than 500 people from more than 40 states were arrested for the violent insurrection.
"The PGA joined dozens of others in condemning Trump and canceled its 2022 tournament at a Trump course," the court documents said. "The sponsor of the British Open stated no tournaments would be awarded to Trump’s course for the '‘foreseeable future.'"
"Reasonably concluding that these developments impaired TFP’s ability to operate the Golf Course as a 'first-class, tournament quality' course and achieve the parties’ goal of attracting top tournaments ... (the city) exercised its right to terminate the lease for cause."
The court documents stressed the city’s licensing deal with Trump specifically mentioned operating a course capable of hosting professional golf tournaments that would generate income for Big Apple coffers.
"The license provided for the city to share in the anticipated revenue from the 'direct, live or taped broadcasting, in the United States and internationally, of on-site golf tournaments at the licenses premises,'" the court papers said.
"Even the notice provision that TFP misinterprets demonstrates that the parties anticipated tournament play."
Cover photo: IMAGO / Starface