"When President Donald Trump went to Scotland in July, he did so not only as commander-in-chief but as the controversial proprietor of some of Britain's most scrutinized golf resorts. His three-day stop at Trump Turnberry, a hotel and golf resort that is one of the president's two properties in the country, drew attention when U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined him to discuss a trade deal between the nations and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza. He was followed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who announced the framework of a trade deal with the E.U. from the luxurious property."
"Trump hosting Starmer at Turnberry broke with diplomatic tradition. American presidents are usually invited to foreign countries by their leaders and hosted at diplomatic residences. But it follows his pattern of abandoning presidential norms, especially when it comes to his family business. According to Michael Cohen, former vice president of the Trump Organization and Trump attorney, the president's habit of hosting at his properties plays into having a home court advantage. Not only is Trump most comfortable at his properties, where everyone around him is "at his beck and call," but it also offers Trump the opportunity to show off his brand's visible presence, Cohen told Fortune."
Turnberry and Trump International in Scotland have long struggled with profitability and now carry more than $239 million in loans owed solely to the Trump Organization and other Trump enterprises. Both properties have retained prestige despite financial turbulence and host extensive development projects. President Trump visited Turnberry in July as both commander-in-chief and proprietor, hosting foreign leaders including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Hosting at private properties broke with diplomatic tradition and aligns with a pattern of prioritizing family business venues. Michael Cohen described the visits as providing a home-court advantage and prominent brand visibility across properties.
Read at Fortune
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]