Trump: ‘It’s not hurting me’

By The Iowa Statesman

 

Those in the mainstream media who are attempting to paint a picture of desperation for Donald Trump over the reaction to comments he made about illegal immigration and border security during his presidential campaign announcement last month are making fools of themselves, the billionaire businessman said yesterday.

“Headlines blared all over the world, ‘ESPN and NASCAR dropping Trump’ — give me a break! All of this because of my strong stance on illegal immigration during my run for President,” he said. “The disassociation of ESPN and NASCAR with the Trump Organization was covered by the press in headlines all over the world as though it was a major setback for me. Really? What were the losses?”

The NASCAR disassociation — for he said he has already received an apology from NASCAR — has meant the organization will no longer hold a banquet in one of the ballrooms at Trump National Doral in Miami. A “substantial” depost has already been paid for the use of that facility, which has been forfeited.

“I will keep their very substantial deposit and rent the ballroom to someone else that night,” he said. “In other words, two fees instead of one.”

ESPN removed its ESPY celebrity golf event from Trump National Golf Course Los Angeles, and likewise lost a very large deposit. Like at Trump National Doral, Mr. Trump said he would now open the course, which is a popular destination for golf tourists because of its scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, receiving “substantial additional greens fee income.”

Trump also informed the media yesterday that his organization met with PGA officials due to the media frenzy over his comments, and that both sides mutually agreed to remove the Grand Slam of Golf, planned for October, from Trump National Los Angeles. Instead, Trump said he will use the opening to have maintenance performed on the course.

“I have great respect for the PGA of America and everything they stand for,” he said. “This also allows me the time to rebuild the golf course in Los Angeles, fronting the Pacific Ocean and considered to be one of the finest parcels of land anywhere in the United States, into the course I always wanted it to be.”