Trump uses European visit to tout his money losing Scotland golf resort

[Demovictory9]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/14/world/europe/uk-trump-scotland-golf.html?action=click&module=Trending&pgtype=Article&region=Footer&contentCollection=Trending

On Monday, President Trump will have a closely watched meeting with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, just days after the announcement that 12 Russian military intelligence officers had been indicted on charges of hacking Democratic organizations in an effort to affect the 2016 election.

But first, a bit of golf.

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Before arriving in Scotland — the birthplace of his mother, as well as that of Mr. Trump’s preferred pastime — the president managed repeatedly to plug Turnberry, one of two Scottish resorts that bear his name, as he dealt with some of the most pressing diplomacy problems facing his administration to date.

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It is a tactic that has alarmed ethics watchdogs, who say he is using his presidential platform to promote a resort that, according to financial filings, has been a burden on the family business.

While the president has blazed a chaotic streak through Europe this past week, Turnberry has received special recognition amid other Trump-issued sound bites that analysts say have undermined the United States’ relationships with close NATO allies.

At a hastily arranged news conference in Brussels, when asked to discuss his message for Britain on its exit from the European Union, Mr. Trump said he had none — a thought he would later undermine in stunning fashion in an interview splashed on the cover of the British tabloid The Sun. Then, Mr. Trump wove in a reference to Turnberry, on breathtaking bluffs and cliffs on the western coast of Scotland, calling it “magical” and “one of my favorite places.”

“I’m going there for two days while I wait for the Monday meeting” with Mr. Putin, the president told the news media.

[NCjack]

1. Trump tp Putin: "Next Vlad, I need to bring up the golf courses in Scotland and Ireland. As you

can see in this combined financial sheet, the gross revenues did not meet projections. As you know, that's not my fault -- it's Obama's and Hillary Clinton's fault. The bottom line is, for me to continue being your "party doll", I need you to restructure your loans to me. Until we can get Russian oil flowing through the Crimean port, I just can't pay any interest."

[Denzil_DC]

2. Trump's running Turnberry as well as he ran his casinos.

The Royal & Ancient (R&A) has frozen Trump Turnberry out of hosting The Open (a massive and prestigious money-spinner) for the foreseeable future because he can't keep his trap shut:

After Trump's remarks calling for a ban on Muslims entering the US in late 2015, the R&A privately let it be known that the renamed Trump Turnberry may no longer host the game's most prestigious tournament.

Then prospects were blighted by controversial remarks made by Mr Trump in his campaign for the Republican nomination – about Muslims, Mexicans, Chinese and women, among others – and gave him a near-pariah status in the global game, raising the risk of a boycott by sponsors and international players.

Previously, the chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Martin Slumbers, had been expected to endorse Turnberry as a venue for the 2020 Open.

But in June, 2015 Mr Trump called Mexican immigrants “rapists” and called for a wall to be built along the United States-Mexico border. The comment, according to R&A insiders at the time, raised eyebrows about what might come next.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15989358.Hosting_The_Open_at_Trump_s_Turnberry_is__very_complex___says_R_A_chief/

Still, the 40 businessmen he took along this weekend will have boosted its takings. And those of other firms:

Trump visit to net Glasgow luxury rental firm nearly £1m

A family-run luxury car rental and chauffeur business in Glasgow will be one of the single biggest beneficiaries of Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland this weekend, with the US government paying it nearly £1 million to help lay on VIP transport, The Scotsman has learned. Little’s Chauffeur Drive, based in the city’s Bellahouston area, is in line to receive a six-figure sum as part of a deal to provide a fleet of luxury vehicles for the US president’s entourage. The US State Department has placed nine purchase and delivery orders with the Paisley Road West firm. Cumulatively, the cost runs to a staggering $1,260,139 (£959,904), a bill which will ultimately be footed by US taxpayers.

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The exact number of vehicles being hired via Little’s is not clear, but is understood the orders will cover airport transfers from Prestwick Airport to Turnberry, as well as transportation for the visiting US businessmen who joined Eric Trump at the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.

https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/trump-visit-to-net-glasgow-luxury-rental-firm-nearly-1m-1-4768576