Trump Revealed

by Michael Kranish

  In the evenings: Hamburger, Helderman, and Bennett, “Donald Trump Said ‘University’ Was All about Education.”

  one of nearly six hundred: Declaration of Mark Covais in opposition to plaintiffs’ motion for class certification and appointment of class counsel, filed in 3:13-cv-02519, Cohen v. Trump.

  “I really felt stupid”: Emma Brown, “Donald Trump Billed His ‘University’ as a Road to Riches,” Washington Post, September 13, 2015. Guillo was one of dozens of plaintiffs in a class action suit against Trump University. See also Jim Zaroli, “Trump University Customer: ‘Gold Elite’ Program Nothing but Fool’s Gold,” National Public Radio, June 6, 2016.

  Trump’s personal ire: Adam Edelman, “Donald Trump Hits Back at Dissatisfied Trump University Students, Naming Two Who Appeared in Ads Bashing the 2016 GOP Front-Runner,” New York Daily News, March 8, 2016.

  “really legit”: Emma Brown, “Donald Trump Billed His ‘University’ as a Road to Riches.”

  Eric Schneiderman filed: New York state case 451463-2013.

  Trump Entrepreneur Initiative: Brown, “Donald Trump Billed His ‘University’ as a Road to Riches.”

  “handpicked by me”: Hamburger, Helderman, and Bennett, “Donald Trump Said ‘University’ Was All about Education.”

  pitch was recorded: Brill, “What the Legal Battle Over Trump University Reveals About Its Founder,” Time, November 5, 2015.

  none were donated: Ibid. Brill’s piece on Trump University was the first to report Trump’s failure to fulfill the charity donation pledge. Alan Garten confirmed to the Washington Post that no proceeds went to charity.

  intended to pass the proceeds: Hamburger, Helderman, and Bennett, “Donald Trump Said ‘University’ Was All about Education.”

  no special Trump methods: Michael Sexton deposition taken by office of New York State Attorney General, New York City, July 25, 2012. Sexton also said Trump did not pick instructors.

  little real estate knowledge: Hamburger, Helderman, and Bennett, “Donald Trump Said ‘University’ Was All about Education.”

  “valuable education”: Donald J. Trump Statement Regarding Trump University, June 7, 2016, https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/donald-j.-trump-statement-regarding-trump-university.

  “Home Shopping Network”: Tom Hamburger, Rosalind S. Helderman, and Alice Crites, “What Trump Said under Oath about the Trump University Fraud Claims—Just Weeks Ago,” Washington Post, March 3, 2016.

  hotel ballrooms: Brown, “Donald Trump Billed His ‘University’ as a Road to Riches.”

  presented a choice of prizes: The Apprentice, season 6, episode 14, “Decision Time,” original airdate April 22, 2007.

  Trump Towers Atlanta: Douglas Sams, “Proposed Trump Towers Site Listed for Foreclosure,” Atlanta Business Chronicle, February 15, 2010.

  “You are being paid sooner”: Letter from Fernando Hazoury to Eric Trump, December 28, 2009, entered as exhibit G to Document 27-4 in Trump Marks Real Estate LLC v. Cap Cana S.A., et al., 1:12-cv-06440-NRB, filed January 17, 2013.

  Trump had been paid millions: Complaint, Document 1, Trump Marks Real Estate LLC v. Cap Cana S.A., et al., 1:12-cv-06440-NRB, filed August 23, 2012.

  suit was settled: Stipulation of Voluntary Dismissal, Document 32, Trump Marks Real Estate LLC v. Cap Cana S.A., et al., 1:12-cv-06440-NRB, filed June 10, 2013.

  several licensing agreements: E.g., License Agreement between Trump Marks Real Estate LLC and Cap Cana S.A., February 16, 2007, section 16. Filed as exhibit A to Document 27-1 in Trump Marks Real Estate LLC v. Cap Cana S.A., et al., 1:12-cv-06440-NRB, filed January 17, 2013. Also, License Agreement between Trump Marks LLC and PB Impulsores, S. de R.L. de C.V., October 12, 2006, section 18.

  “largely owned”: Donald J. Trump, letter to the editor, Wall Street Journal, November 28, 2007.

  did not own: Disclaimer, “Trump International Hotel & Tower” Waikiki Beach Walk is not owned, developed, or sold by Donald J. Trump. www.trump.com, accessed May 1, 2016.

  Asked about the discrepancy: Deposition of Donald J. Trump, December 19, 2007, Donald J. Trump vs. Timothy L. O’Brien, et al., No. CAM-L-545-06, 89–90/.

  “substantial equity contribution”: Tom Hamburger and Rosalind S. Helderman, “How Donald Trump Cashes In Even When His Name-Brand Properties Fail,” Washington Post, July 23, 2015.

  “deals can change”: Ibid.

  could walk away: Ibid. See also licensing agreements such as License Agreement between Trump Marks Real Estate LLC and Cap Cana S.A. and License Agreement between Trump Marks LLC and PB Impulsores S. de R.L. de C.V., October 12, 2006.

  first-class accommodations: E.g., License Agreement between Trump Marks Real Estate LLC and Cap Cana S.A., February 16, 2007, 32. Filed publicly as Exhibit A to Document 27, 1:12-cv-06440, January 17, 2013.

  next trip to Florida: J. Michael Goodson interview with Tom Hamburger, Washington Post, April 2016.

  rent out their units: 2nd Amended Complaint, Abercrombie v. SB Hotel Associates LLC et al., 07-60702 CACE, 16.

  perfect for Goodson: Goodson interview with Hamburger.

  “luxurious experience”: 2nd Amended Complaint, Abercrombie v. SB Hotel Associates LLC et al., 12.

  “with great pleasure”: Ibid.

  check for $345,000: Goodson interview with Hamburger.

  honor his dream: Sheila Rousseaux interview with Tom Hamburger, Washington Post, April 2016.

  a stretch: J. Michael Goodson, Sheila Rousseaux, and Naraine Seecharan have all been plaintiffs in litigation against Trump over the project.

  “can’t lose”: Naraine Seecharan interview with Tom Hamburger, Washington Post, April 2016.

  crowd celebrating: Trevor Aaronson, “Chump Tower,” Broward-Palm Beach New Times, June 22, 2006.

  “He’s real tough:” Ibid.

  “I gave Donald Trump a call”: Ibid.

  “We are celebrating”: Aaronson, Ibid.

  diamond cuff links: Aaronson, Ibid.

  Corus Bankshares: Monica Hatcher, “Florida Moves On after Failure of Bank behind Condo Boom,” Miami Herald, September 15, 2009.

  $166 million: Doreen Hemlock, “Lauderdale Condo-Hotel That Was to Bear Trump Name Sold at Foreclosure Auction,” Sun-Sentinel, March 14, 2012.

  until early 2017: Information on progress of the project from Conrad Hotels & Resorts website, http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/conrad-fort-lauderdale-beach-FLLCICI/index.html.

  he distanced himself: “We are not the developers.” Deposition of Donald J. Trump, November 5, 2013, Trilogy Properties LLC vs. SB Hotel Associates LLC et al., 39.

  “world is ending”: Seecharan interview with Hamburger.

  “I panicked”: Rousseaux interview with Hamburger.

  advised complainers: Alan Garten interview with Tom Hamburger and Rosalind S. Helderman, Washington Post, April 15, 2016.

  a local ordinance: 2nd Amended Complaint, Abercrombie v. SB Hotel Associates LLC et al., 16.

  pleaded guilty: Transcript of sentencing of Felix Sater, 98-CR-1101, October 23, 2009, 6. Filed as Exhibit M in New York State 152324-2014, February 25, 2015.

  margarita glass: Charles V. Bagli, “Real Estate Executive with Hand in Trump Projects Rose from Tangled Past,” New York Times, December 17, 2007.

  “extraordinary cooperation”: Transcript of sentencing of Felix Sater, 98-CR-1101, October 23, 2009, 4. Filed as Exhibit M in New York State 152324-2014, February 25, 2015.

  was not revealed: Deposition of Donald J. Trump, Abercrombie v. SB Hotel Associates LLC et al., November 5, 2013, 16–17.

  kept under seal: Rosalind S. Helderman and Tom Hamburger, “Former Mafia-Linked Figure Describes Association with Trump,” Washington Post, May 17, 2016.

  “If he were sitting”: Deposition of Donald J. Trump, Abercrombie v. SB Hotel Associates LLC et al., 157.

  frequently went: Helderman and Hamburger, “Former Mafia-Linked Figure Describes Association with Trump.”

  “build a Trump Tower”: Ibid
.

  so close: Ibid.

  were both traveling: Ibid.

  “all screwed”: Seecharan interview with Hamburger.

  minus legal fees: Bill Allison, “Legal War over Botched Deal Shows How Trump Wins Even When He Loses,” Foreign Policy, November 30, 2015.

  a circuit court jury found: Verdict issued in Deer Valley Realty v. Donald J. Trump, 12-10560 CACE, 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Florida, March 12, 2014. Information comes also from Jared Beck (plaintiff’s attorney) interview with Tom Hamburger, Washington Post, April 2016.

  “in the world”: Michael Calderone, “A Friggin’ Mortgage Company Opening,” New York Observer, April 6, 2006.

  “you’re fired”: John Carney, “Trump Mortgage Opens,” Dealbreaker.com, April 10, 2006.

  “a god”: Jan Scheck interview with Michael Kranish, Washington Post, February 2016.

  “great time”: Trump interview on CNBC, Wall Street Journal Report, April 9, 2006.

  gave the business: Tom Hamburger and Michael Kranish, “Trump Mortgage Failed. Here’s What That Says About the GOP Front-Runner,” Washington Post, February 29, 2016.

  to urge buyers to try: License Agreement between Trump Marks Real Estate LLC and Cap Cana S.A., February 16, 2007, section 3(i). Filed as exhibit A to Document 27-1 in Trump Marks Real Estate LLC v. Cap Cana S.A. et al., 1:12-cv-06440-NRB, filed January 17, 2013.

  $3 billion: Tom Fredrickson, “Undoing of Trump Mortgage,” Crain’s New York Business, August 5, 2007.

  Seven million: “7.3 million Boomerang Buyers Poised to Recover Homeownership in Next 8 Years,” RealtyTrac.com, January 26, 2015.

  “a bubble”: Trump interview, Morning Joe, MSNBC, July 24, 2015, http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/donald-trump-rounds-out-the-week-on-morning-joe-490679363866.

  “in a very big way”: Fredrickson, “Undoing of Trump Mortgage.” Ridings did not respond to a request for comment.

  inflated his résumé: Ibid.

  “a better job”: Frederickson, “Undoing of Trump Mortgage.”

  Trump licensed his name: Ana Swanson, “The Trump Network Sought to Make People Rich but Left Behind Disappointment,” Washington Post, March 23, 2016.

  “ ‘be millionaires’ ”: Ibid.

  “a long shot”: Julianna Goldman and Laura Strickler, “Behind the Collapse of the ‘Recession Proof’ Trump Network,” CBS This Morning, accessed May 5, 2016, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-network-cbs-news-investigation-supplements-multi-level-marketing.

  promotional video: Trump promotional video for Trump Network. Available on youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjD8AgBKwO4.

  “no one ever apologized”: Swanson, “The Trump Network.”

  simply licensed: Swanson, “The Trump Network.”

  “a little surprised”: Paul Owers, “Lenders Foreclose on 200-Unit Trump Condo,” Sun-Sentinel, November 19, 2010.

  By Thanksgiving 2010: Ken Grossman interview with Tom Hamburger and Rosalind S. Helderman, Washington Post, April 8, 2016.

  flashy party: “Trump Hollywood Treats Guests to a Night to Remember,” SocialMiami.com.

  “A fantastic relaunch”: Ibid.

  Within fifteen months: Daniel Lebensohn interview with Tom Hamburger and Rosalind S. Helderman, Washington Post, April 8, 2016.

  book of Trump’s standards: Review of book of Trump standards by Washington Post reporters Tom Hamburger and Rosalind S. Helderman during tour of Trump Hollywood, April 8, 2016.

  $10 and $20 million: Lebensohn interview with Hamburger and Helderman.

  CHAPTER 14: EMPIRE

  the structure was only a shell: Visit by Kevin Sullivan, 2016.

  in South Korea: Trump Organization website: http://www.trump.com/real-estate-portfolio/seoul/trump-world/.

  Toronto’s City Council: Jonathan Fowlie, “Trump Tower Planned for Downtown Will Be Tallest in City,” Globe and Mail, February 7, 2003.

  Trump boasted: “Trump Lauds Saakashvili on Fox & Friends,” Democracy & Freedom Watch, May 2, 2012, http://dfwatch.net/trump-lauds-saakashvili-on-fox-friends-59008-8320.

  cancellation of many projects: Interview with Kevin Sullivan, 2016.

  comments about Muslims: Andrew Scott, “Damac Removes Trump Billboards from Akoya Project in Dubai,” National, December 10, 2015.

  “does not understand Islam”: “Turkish Business Partner Condemns Donald Trump’s Anti-Muslim Stance,” Guardian, December 11, 2015.

  contestants in filming: “Emin in Another Life Official Music Video Ft. Donald Trump and Miss Universe 2013 Contestants,” YouTube, November 20, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuZUNjFsgS8.

  “ ‘be in my video?’ ”: Aras and Emin Agalarov interview with Michael Birnbaum, 2016.

  Donald Trump of Russia: “The Donald Trump of Russia,” CNBC interview, May 18, 2015, http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000380510.

  Miss Universe organization: Aras and Emin Agalarov interview with Michael Birnbaum, 2016.

  traveled to Las Vegas: “Emin USA launch of Single ‘Amor,’ ” Getty Images photo, June 15, 2013, http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aras-agalarov-donald-trump-miss-universe-2012-olivia-culpo-news-photo/170653701.

  met Trump: Aras and Emin Agalarov interview with Birnbaum.

  started his business: Clio Williams, “Relative Values: Russia’s Billionaire Property Developer, Aras Agalarov, 59, and His Son, Emin, 35, One of Russia’s Biggest Pop Stars,” Sunday Times, April 8, 2015.

  Agalarov’s Crocus Group: “Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island,” Crocus Group press release, May 12, 2011.

  Putin presented Agalarov: “Vladimir Putin Decorated Aras Agalarov with the Order of Order (sic),” Crocus Group press release, October 29, 2013.

  about $14 million: Aras and Emin Agalarov interview with Birnbaum.

  preliminary agreement: Ibid.

  As early as 1987: Steve Goldstein, “Trump May Build Hotels in USSR,” Philly.com, July 7, 1987.

  Donald Trump Jr. said: Hazel Heyer, “Executive Talk: Donald Trump Jr. Bullish on Russia and Few Emerging Markets,” Global Travel Industry News, September 15, 2008.

  building a skyscraper: “US ‘Miss Universe’ Billionaire Plans Russian Trump Tower,” RT.com, November 9, 2013.

  scheduled to meet: Aras and Emin Agalarov interview with Birnbaum.

  “very warm feelings”: Ibid.

  “never becomes president”: Ibid.

  royal wedding: “Emin: A Singer with Connections,” BBC News, March 1, 2011.

  dominant political force: Heydar Aliyev Foundation biography, http://www.heydar-aliyev-foundation.org/en/content/index/63/.

  “Corleones of the Caspian”: Michael Weiss, “The Corleones of the Caspian,” Foreign Policy, June 10, 2014.

  comparing Aliyev’s administration: Haley Sweetland Edwards, “Azerbaijan: President Aliyev Compared Unfavorably to Hot-Headed Mobster in WikiLeaks Cable,” Los Angeles Times, December 3, 2010.

  Southern Gas Corridor: “Southern Gas Corridor,” Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG company website, http://www.tap-ag.com/the-pipeline/the-big-picture/southern-gas-corridor.

  In November 2014: “Trump Hotel Collection Announces Trump International Hotel & Tower Baku,” PR Newswire, November 4, 2014.

  State Department called: “2013 Investment Climate Statement-Azerbaijan,” U.S. State Department report, March 2013, http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2013/204596.htm. Mammadov did not respond to repeated requests for an interview, relayed to him through officials at his company, friends, via email and Facebook messages.

  Mammadov attended: “Philanthropist Anar Mammadov,” Anar Mammadov, WordPress.com, August 14, 2014.

  waterfront mansions: Andrew Higgins, “Pricey Real Estate Deals in Dubai Raise Questions about Azerbaijan’s President,” Washington Post, March 5, 2010.

  $1 billion for projects: Nushabe Fatullayeva, “Mixing Government and Business in Azerbaijan,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, April 4, 2013. The report also disclos
ed that Mammadov was for a time, when he was barely out of his twenties, an 81 percent shareholder in the Bank of Azerbaijan, which handled much of Mammadov’s transportation-related business.

  Azerbaijan Golf Federation: “Inaugural Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open Praised by Foreign Media,” Anar Mammadov Tumblr page, http://anarmammadov.tumblr.com/.

  $12 million lobbying: “Azerbaijan America Alliance,” OpenSecrets.org report, 2015, http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000064546.

  “caviar diplomacy”: Robert Coalson, “Baku Smooths Over Its Rights Record with a Thick Layer of Caviar,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, November 8, 2013.

  annual gala dinners: Daniel Swartz, “Speaker Boehner, Congressional Leaders, AMBs reaffirm U.S./Azerbaijani Relationship at Dinner Gala,” Revamp.com, November 15, 2012, http://www.revamp.com/story.php?StoryID=2127.

  Burton, a Republican from Indiana: Ilya Lozovsky, “How Azerbaijan and Its Lobbyists Spin Congress,” Foreign Policy, June 11, 2015.

  licensing agreement: Alan Garten interview with Kevin Sullivan, 2016.

  smart business move: Ibid.

  “trying to establish itself”: Ibid. Garten said he could not remember the name of the intermediary who connected Trump with Mammadov.

  Trump had hired: “Corinthia Hotels Appoint Eric Pere as New General Manager of Corinthia Hotel Prague,” Corinthia Hotels press release, November 9, 2015, http://www.ihiplc.com/news/news-detail/corinthia-hotels-appoint-eric-pere-as-new-general-manager-of-corinthia-hotel-prague.

  “had an interruption”: Khalid Karimli interview with Sullivan.

  income from the project: Rosalind S. Helderman and Tom Hamburger, “Donald Trump’s Financial Disclosure Lists Hundreds of Positions and Deals,” Washington Post, July 22, 2015.

  Burton resigned: Carl Schreck, “Ex–U.S. Congressman Quits Azerbaijani Lobby Group, Citing Nonpayment,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, March 2, 2016.

  “never had more”: Trump Hotel Collection literature, https://www.trumphotelcollection.com/panama/panama-city-panama-hotels.php.

  President Ricardo Martinelli: “Donald Trump at Press Conference in Trump Panama,” YouTube, July 6, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfyvAE6uZLU.

  “very important bridge”: Tim Rogers, “Donald Trump to Panama: You’re Hired!” Christian Science Monitor, February 24, 2011.