According to the New York Times report on decades of tax avoidance, Donald Trump has recorded more than half a billion dollars in business losses since 2000, undermining his claims that he’s “like, really smart” and runs “successful companies.”
Trump’s golf courses worldwide have reported more than $315 million in losses since 2000. The Trump Dural National golf course outside Miami, which Trump paid $150 million for in 2012, reported more than $162 million in losses since Trump’s acquisition, even though it’s become a funnel for people to give money to Trump in the hopes of swaying presidential influence.
For example, roofing materials manufacturer GAF spent at least $1.5 million in 2018 while the roofing industry pushed the Trump administration to roll back regulations.
Trump’s two Scottish and one Irish golf courses has incurred more than $63 million in losses since he took over those properties. His Bedminster, New Jersey club increased operating costs fivefold from 2016 to 2017.
The Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC, opened in 2016, recorded $55.5 million in losses since opening, despite high revenue. Trump’s property management company, which runs various Trump properties in the US, has reported $134 million in losses since 2000.
When Trump announced his presidential campaign in 2015, his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida recorded more than $5 million in new membership fees.