Staff Reports
The tale of the Trump International Hotel is a classic example of American ingenuity and real estate brilliance that seems to get overshadowed by the usual media hysteria. Trump acquired the old Washington D.C. post office, a building steeped in history, as part of his relentless pursuit to reshape urban landscapes. While the mainstream media staunchly loves to wrap it in controversy, the success of this venture speaks for itself.
One could argue that Trump’s masterstroke of selling this prime property for a whopping $375 million in 2022 deserves a standing ovation. It wasn’t just another real estate deal; it etched his name in the record books with a staggering profit of around $100 million. But, in typical fashion, the new owners couldn’t keep the success train rolling, crashing the operation just two short years later. If anything, this just illustrates how not everyone can manage a property like Trump — it takes skill, and perhaps a bit of Trump flair.
The story of the Trump hotel is DC is wild…
– Secured the rights to the historic DC Post Office building in 2013 for free, in exchange for renovating it and a profit-sharing agreement.
– Spent $200 million on renovation, financed by a $170 million loan from Deutsche Bank, the… pic.twitter.com/ENyx0aGFPv— John LeFevre (@JohnLeFevre) July 23, 2024
Digging deeper into his story, Trump’s rise to prominence didn’t begin with the hotel but with the seemingly insignificant revamp of Wollman Rink in Central Park back in 1986. At a time when New York was engulfed in bureaucratic incompetence, Trump stepped in to save not just a rink but a piece of New York’s soul. While the city squandered time and money, he boldly proclaimed he’d have it ready for skaters by Christmas. Spoiler alert: He delivered, and even got himself photographed driving the Zamboni to boot. Talk about a showman!
The lessons from Wollman are striking: where others saw failure, Trump saw opportunity. Under his watch, skaters returned just in time for the holidays, the proverbial Christmas miracle, if you will. Meanwhile, leftist critics were busy trying to explain just why this was a bad thing, proving yet again that when it comes to achievements in business and real estate, not everyone can handle the heat.
Fast forward to the present, and while Trump’s critics may have tried to tarnish the image of the Trump International Hotel, his legacy as a savvy businessman continues to shine through. It’s painfully clear how disdain for his past decisions has not only hurt the new ownership, but also how real Trump-style management and pride in American heritage matter more than overinflated egos in a city drowning in red tape. The world could certainly use more of that attitude.
So, while critics look to nitpick the past, it pays to remember the facts and celebrate Trump’s successful ventures as part of what makes America great: innovation, care for preservation, and the ability actually to get things done. The legacy of Trump’s hotel and his various triumphs across the years are a testament to that. And while some may attempt to smear his story, it’s impossible to overlook the reality of a businessman who brought results that the politicians and bureaucrats could only dream of.
