The self-proclaimed king of New York in exile: An unwelcome mat remains out for ex-President Trump in the city of his birth
Chris Sommerfeldt, Larry McShane
Sorry, Mr. Trump — your name is not on the guest list. Your table will not be ready. And your money really is no good around here.
The post-presidency unwelcome mat remains out for the New York native in his hometown, the hub of the Donald Trump universe for decades before he vanquished Hillary Clinton. Six years after announcing a longshot White House run inside his namesake Midtown skyscraper, The Donald swapped Manhattan for Mar-a-Lago and abandoned his old stomping grounds.
Not that anyone’s complaining too loudly. The Queens-born Trump, the one-time gossip column habitué and tabloid headline maker, remains widely reviled across the city where he was overwhelmingly spurned by his old neighbors last November. Joe Biden of Scranton, Pa., trounced local guy Trump by 1.6 million votes, collecting 76% of the city’s ballots.
The feeling is apparently mutual: The departed commander-in-chief has visited his former Trump Tower home exactly once since exiting Washington, spending two days in the city where he’s about as relevant as a reboot of “The Apprentice.”
“He used to think he was the king of New York,” said Barbara Res, a former executive vice president with the Trump Organization. “And now he can’t come here without 10,000 people protesting and hating his guts.”
Former President Donald Trump when he first announced his candidacy at Trump Tower on June 16, 2015 in New York City.
Former President Donald Trump when he first announced his candidacy at Trump Tower on June 16, 2015 in New York City. (Christopher Gregory/)
And so the NYC pariah winters in Florida, with plans to stay in New Jersey this summer. His latest public appearance came way off-Broadway in Greenville, N.C., a full 500 miles south of his old digs and the lingering problems back in his hometown: A criminal investigation conducted jointly by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. and state Attorney General Letitia James as well as two defamation lawsuits by women accusing Trump of sexual assault.
And there’s the move by City Hall to cut all ties with the developer, including his banishment from ice skating rinks in Central Park and a battle to fire Trump from running a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course in the Bronx. The break-up followed his alleged role as an inciter of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Longtime investigative journalist Tom Robbins recalled how Trump was hardly everyone’s cup of tea long before he became just another Sunshine State snowbird.
Yes, he was once a fixture on the city social scene, squiring his rotating roster of wives to myriad events across Manhattan and making headlines.
But there was something about Trump that made him hard to embrace, recalled Robbins.
“He was simply the kind of New Yorker where you could never believe a single word that the guy ever said,” said Robbins. “Every word a lie. A con man. That’s Donald Trump. That’s exactly who he was.”
A sign for the Trump International Hotel in New York City.
A sign for the Trump International Hotel in New York City. (Spencer Platt/)
When Trump returned to Midtown this past March, the ousted one-term president was greeted by a lone Fifth Ave. supporter who received a wave from the head of assorted failed businesses: Trump Airlines, Trump Steaks, Trump University, Trump Vodka.
The ex-chief executive spent just two days inside his old home, a glistening reminder of better times in a city where he’s become an afterthought.
“Arrest Trump,” read a banner held by demonstrators standing outside the skyscraper. When Trump departed, he couldn’t miss the pointed message painted on the street outside and directed at him: “BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
His son Donald Jr. responded with a pithy Instagram message unlikely to win local hearts: “New York Deplorables, @realdonaldtrump is watching.”
Things were quite different inside Trump Tower on June 16, 2015, when Trump descended an escalator inside his sparkly Midtown building to announce an oft-threatened but never before delivered run for the presidency.
“It’s great to be in a wonderful city, New York,” declared Trump. “And it’s an honor to have everybody here.”
His announcement included a staggering 257 references to Donald Trump ... all by Donald Trump. His divisive chatter about Mexican rapists and building the border wall riled residents in the heavily liberal city, and the animosity only grew across his four years in the White House.
“He can’t have enough bodyguards to walk through New York City,” declared Gov. Cuomo last year. “Forget bodyguards, he better have an army if he thinks he’s going to walk down the streets in New York.”
The wall between Trump, now 74, and the land of his birth now appears as lasting as the fickle developer’s divorces — both front-page news.
Trump’s longtime former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen believes his old boss was forced to build a mental barricade between himself and the city, an obstacle he is loathe to scale.
Former President Donald Trump
Former President Donald Trump (DOMINICK REUTER/)
“He needs the adulation of the crowds like you need oxygen to survive,” offered Cohen. “Now that he is persona non grata in New York City, he relocated to Palm Beach — where he believes he is universally adored.”
Even his surname has become anathema: The one-time Trump SoHo hotel changed its name in 2017 to the Domenick thanks to a boycott that included NBA star LeBron James. And a half-dozen West Side apartment towers that once bore his name voted to remove their Trump signage between 2016-19.
Actress E. Jean Carroll found time recently to troll Trump about her pending defamation lawsuit, a legal action stemming from her alleged rape 1996 rape by the ex-president inside a dressing room at Bergdorf-Goodman’s flagship Fifth Ave. store.
“Trump’s DNA will be easier to get when he’s at Rikers,” she tweeted.
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on “The Apprentice,” is the plaintiff in a similar suit stemming from an alleged sexual assault by Trump in 2007. Trump has denied the allegations, and is fighting both lawsuits.
Donald Trump and his father, Fred, at the opening of the Wollman Rink in Central Park in 1987.
Donald Trump holds a driver on the 11th green of his Ocean Trails Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002.
Dennis Conner, right, skipper of "Stars and Stripes," receives a model depicting the hull of his winning yacht from real estate developer Donald Trump during a reception for Conner and his crew in New York on Feb. 10, 1987.
Donald Trump, right, with brother Robert at the Taj Mahal Casino Resort in 1990.
Vice President George Bush, right, shares a light moment with, from left, real estate developer and casino owner Donald Trump and fight promoter Don King, on April 12, 1988, at New York's Plaza Hotel during a fundraiser for Bush by Trump. Bush is in New York to campaign for next Tuesday's Republican presidential primary.
Proud parents Marla Maples and Donald Trump leave St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla., with their newborn baby girl, Tiffany, on Oct. 14, 1993 weighing 7 lbs., 7 1/2 oz.
Governor Hugh Carey points to an artists' conception of the new New York Hyatt Hotel/Convention facility that will be build on the site of the former Commordore Hotel, on June 28, 1978. At the launching ceremony are, from left: Donald Trump, son of the city developer Fred C. Trump; Mayor Ed Koch of New York; Carey; and Robert T. Dormer, executive vice president of the Urban Development Corp.
Donald Trump ascends the stairs with his fist raised from the genie's lamp after opening the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in a spectacular show of fireworks and laser lights on Thursday, April 5, 1990, in Atlantic City, N.J.
Donald Trump, left, talks with his parents, Mary and Fred and his sister, U.S. District Court Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, at the opening of Trump's Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., on April 5, 1990.
Donald Trump stands next to one of his three Sikorsky helicopters at New York Port Authority's West 30 Street Heliport in March 1988.
Donald Trump and Melania Knauss pose as they arrive for a charity event on board the Queen Mary 2 on April 24, 2004 in New York.
New York Yankees manager Billy Martin, right, meets developer Donald Trump at Municipal Stadium in West Palm Beach on March 26, 1988. Seated with Trump are his son Donald, Jr., 10, with a ball given him by Martin and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner during the game with the Montreal Expos.
From left, Donald Trump, of the Generals, Fred Wilpon, of the Mets, Sonny Werblin of Madison Square Garden, and George Steinbrenner of the Yankees attend a breakfast forum dealing with the future of professional sports in the New York metropolitan area, on Thursday, Dec. 16, 1983 in New York.
Actor Elliott Gould, left, joins Donald Trump and Marla Maples at courtside during the New York Knicks game against the Phoenix Suns at New York's Madison Square Garden on March 6, 1991.
Entertainer and entrepreneur Merv Griffin, right, is presented with the 1990 Scopus Award from the American Friends of Hebrew University in Los Angeles, Ca., on Jan. 15, 1990. Presenting the award is Donald Trump, presiding chairman for the evening.
Developer Donald Trump, center, signals to those waiting in line at a casting call for the second season of his televisIon show, "The Apprentice," on March, 18, 2004 in New York.
Developer Donald Trump, right, poses with New York City's Park Commissioner Henry Stern holding a pair of ice skates that are intended for use at the Wollman Skating Rink Central Park in New York, on Aug. 7, 1986.
New York real estate magnates Stephen Ross, left, and Donald Trump, right, speak about the agreement they have reached in principle to merge the Houston Gamblers and New Jersey Generals football franchises, Thursday, August 2, 1985 in New York. USFL Commissioner Harry L. Usher, center announced the agreement.
Developer Donald Trump, center, is flanked by super middleweight champion Thomas Hearns, left, of Detroit, and Michael Olajide of Canada at a news conference in New York on Thursday, Feb. 15, 1990.
The funeral of Ivana Trump's father Milos Zelnicek in the Moravian town of Zlin, is pictured Oct. 1990. From left: Trump's children, Eric, 6, Ivanka, 8 and Donald, 12, Ivana and Donald Trump, and Marie Francová Zelnícek,, Ivana's mother.
Developer Donald Trump and New York State Gov. Mario Cuomo get together before the start of the Tour De Trump bicycle race in Albany, New York on May 6, 1989.
Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, right, speak at a news conference while advisor Donald Trump looks in New York on July 27, 1988 after announcing a settlement between Tyson and his manager, Bill Cayton. Tyson, who had sued to break his contract with Cayton, reached an ou-of-court settlement under which Cayton will remain his manager until Feb. 11, 1992.
Boxing Promoter Don King, second from right, holds the wrists of the undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, right, and his challenger Larry Holms as entrepreneur Donald Trump looks on in New York on Dec. 1, 1987.
Donald Trump, left, holds the ribbon on June 8, 1989 at Logan International Airport in Boston, as Massport deputy-executive director Patrick Moscaritolo cuts it to officially open the Trump airline terminal at Logan Airport.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Sipe, left, and New Jersey Generals owner Donald J. Trump hold up Sipe's new uniform jersey at a press conference, on Dec. 27, 1983 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., where Sipe was introduced as a General. Sipe made the jump to the USFL after playing for the NFL for 10 years.
Donald Trump and his wife Ivana are pictured aboard his giant yacht Trump Princess on the East River in New York on July 1988.
Donald Trump shakes hands with Robert Miller while patting Wilbur Ross on the back during a press conference, on Nov. 16, 1990, announcing a deal over control of Trump's troubled Taj Mahal Casino under bankruptcy court protection and will give investors a 50 per cent stake in it while Trump remains chairman. Miller is an attorney and Ross in financial adviser for the bondholders.
New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, right, and real estate mogul Donald Trump, lift shovels of cement to mark the start of concrete pouring in Central Park's Wollman Rink, on Sept. 10, 1986. Trump is financing the rebuilding of the rink.
Donald Trump, center, arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood and is accompanied by persons dressed as mummies in business attire Friday, July 9, 2004 in Los Angeles. Trump is casting for "The Apprentice" television show's the third season.
Donald Trump speaks to a reporter at the New York Court of Appeals while awaiting arguments in a real estate appraisal case in Albany, N.Y. on Sept. 3, 1996. Trump says he owns land involved in the case and wanted to see the case argued in person.
Donald Trump and his girlfriend Marla Maples are seen at the Holyfield-Foreman fight at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, N.J., on April 19, 1991.
Annabel Hill of Waynesboro, Ga., burns the mortgage on her farm with the help of developer Donald Trump in New York, on Dec. 23, 1986. Mrs. Hill's husband Leonard, committed suicide early this year just minutes before their farm was to be auctioned for debts. Trump and a Dallas farmer heard about Mrs. Hill's troubles and together provided the last $73,000 to save the farm.
Donald Trump is shown the way around the Winged Foot Golf Club by Arizona State's Phil Michelson, left, U.S. amateur champion for the 1991 All-American Collegiate Golf team, in Mamaroneck, N.Y., on June 24, 1991.
Donald Trump enters the New York Hilton Hotel, on Feb. 23, 1990, where he was honored by a business organization. "The business has never been better," he said of his privately held holdings. "For all the wrong reasons." He believes recent publicity over his marriage has somehow translated into improved business at his casinos and shuttle airline.
Donald Trump is flanked by soccer players Luis Pereira, left, of Brazil, and Julio Villa of Argentina, during a news conference in New York, on Jan. 29, 1992. Argentina and Brazil will meet in an exhibition Futbol 5 match at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., March 28, 1992.
Donald Trump, left, greets Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, 2000.
Donald Trump unveils a facsimile of the cards to be used on his proposed TV game show "Trump Card," at Trump Tower in New York, on Sept. 19, 1989.
Donald Trump poses with a 1980 Harley-Davidson motorcycle once owned by Arnold Schwarzenegger at Maxwell's Plum restaurant on New York's Upper East Side, on Jan. 13, 1989.
Real estate mogul Donald Trump talks to reporters during a news conference in New York, on Feb. 13, 1992. Trump proposed that former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson be allowed to give "millions and millions" of dollars to rape victims instead of going to prison. Tyson was convicted on Monday of raping a Miss Black America contestant last July in Indiana. State prosecutors said the offer wasn't taken seriously.
Donald Trump, real estate mogul and owner of the USFL's New Jersey Generals, speaks to the press as he walks out of federal court in New York on May 14, 1986. A federal court jury heard vivid charges of intrigue and conspiracy in the world of professional football as the USFL's $1.32 billion anti-trust suit against the NFL opened Wednesday with sharply contrasting views of the battle between the two leagues.
Marla Maples, left, and Donald Trump greet Jelena Mrdjen, a contestant from Yugoslavia in the Look of the Year contest at a reception in New York, on Aug. 30, 1991.
Donald Trump and Marla Maples attend the New York Mets and San Diego Padres game in New York, on July 13, 1991. The couple, whose engagement was recently announced, watched the Mets win their tenth straight game.
Donald Trump, right, gestures to Jesse Jackson, left, and Tommy Hearns, during ringside conversation prior to the Mike Tyson-Carl Williams fight in Atlantic City, N.J., on July 21, 1989.
Donald Trump and Marla Maples sign Joey Adam's birthday card at the Helmsley Hotel in New York where his 80th birthday bash was held in New York, on Jan. 7, 1991.
Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie poses with New Jersey Generals head coach Walt Michaels, left, and General's owner, Donald Trump, at a news conference in New York, on Feb. 5, 1985. An official announcement was made that Flutie signed a multi-million-dollar pact with the USFL team.
Donald Trump and Marla Maples watch the tennis action at the U.S. Open in New York, on Sept. 8, 1992.
Donald Trump, left, mimics the trademark Benny Hill salute as he and Hill pose for a photo in front of Trump Tower in New York, on Nov. 17, 1989. Hill is in New York scouting locations for an April 1990 television special.
Donald and Marla Trump wave good bye to photographers as they enter their wedding reception in New York's Plaza Hotel, on Dec. 20, 1993. The developer and the model were married in a brief ceremony in the hotel's grand ballroom after a six-year relationship.
Victor Ciuba, left, gives the thumb's up sign as he gets a $1 million check from Donald Trump in new York, on Sept. 20, 1990, after winning Trump Castle's See and Win A Million contest.
Donald Trump, second from left and former owner of the Plaza Hotel, reaches to shake the hand of Robert Small, right, CEO of Fairmont Hotel Management at a flag raising ceremony at the Plaza Hotel, on July 28, 1995.
Real estate mogul Donald Trump, left, takes his turn as George Ditomassi, president of the Milton Bradley company, looks on at a news conference in New York, announcing a new board game, "Trump, The Game," on Feb. 7, 1989. The game allows players to bid against each other and make deals for big ticket real estate.
Real estate developer Donald Trump holds the World Wrestling Federation Championship belt as he flanked by Wrestlers Hulk Hogan, left and Andre the Giant at a news conference Tuesday, March 15, 1988, in New York announcing "WrestleMania IV" on March 27 at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City.
Donald Trump and his wife, Ivana, pose with their new luxury yacht The Trump Princess docked at the 30th Street pier on the East River in New York on Monday, July 4, 1988.
Developer Donald Trump, left, is seen outside the Federal Courthouse in Newark, N.J., with Roger Stone, the director of Trump's presidential exploratory committee on Monday, Oct. 25, 1999, for the swearing-in of Trump's sister as a federal appeals court judge.
W. Randall Jones, publisher of Esquire Magazine, seated left, and Ivana Trump, second from on August 15, 1989 in New York, while Malcolm Forbes speaks with Donald Trump, right. Esquire saluted American male designers in international fashion at the Plaza Hotel.
Donald Trump, right, meets with Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the United Nations on Jan. 9, 2001.
New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Herschel Walker at a news conference in New York, after agreeing on a four-year contract on March 8, 1984.
New York GOP gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani, son of Trump’s lawyer and former mayor Rudy Giuliani, said the ex-president still loves New York — he just doesn’t want to live there.
“(Prosecutors) are building their reputations on investigating Trump,” he said. “So if you’re Donald Trump, why would you want to come back?”
But fellow Queens guy Peter Mehlman, writing in The Atlantic, delivered the bad news that escaped Trump during his time in New York.
“It took the presidency for him to learn,” wrote Mehlman, “that he’d always been a citywide joke.”
