The Trump family is reportedly in talks to reacquire the lease for the Washington, D.C., hotel, a move that could spark renewed debate over potential conflicts of interest. Eric Trump, an executive vice president at the Trump Organization, recently met with a bank executive to discuss the possibility of purchasing the lease.
This potential resurgence of the Trump presence in the nation's capital comes as the former president-elect prepares to once again enter the political arena. The family's interest in the Old Post Office building, now the Waldorf Astoria, is notable given the controversies surrounding the hotel during his first term.
Critics argued that the hotel's operation presented a conflict of interest, potentially violating the Foreign Emoluments Clause by accepting financial benefits from foreign governments. Lawsuits were filed during Trump's previous presidency, though the Supreme Court later dismissed the cases. The Trump Organization, however, insisted they had not targeted foreign officials for business.
The potential reacquisition of the hotel could cost in excess of $300 million. While the Trump Organization has issued an ethics pledge for this term, including the appointment of an outside lawyer and restricted access to financial information, critics argue these measures fall short of fully addressing potential conflict concerns.
Unlike the previous pledge, the Trumps are not committing to halting new international real estate deals, promising only to refrain from entering new transactions with foreign governments. However, independent ethics experts remain skeptical, noting that even without new deals, the flow of money from foreign sources needs to cease upon Trump's return to office.
The Trump family's previous attempts to sell the hotel's lease in 2019 highlight the ongoing tension between the family's business interests and potential ethical concerns. This recent development underscores the likely continuation of similar debate surrounding the former president-elect's business dealings, particularly if the lease is acquired.
