Late last spring reverberated with the startling development that unfolded in the American political panorama. In an event that seized headlines, Donald J. Trump, the erstwhile President of the United States, was faced with the daunting tally of 34 guilty counts delivered by the New York prosecutors. Pending the appeal, the irrefutable consequence of this verdict could find Trump, an unprecedented figure in the annals of American presidency, tagged with the ignominious label of a convicted felon.
The Trump International Hotel, an imposing structure that embellishes the Las Vegas Strip, saw no discernible aftermath of this legal ordeal. Trump’s conviction on the multiple felony counts did not seem to cast its shadow on the Southern Nevada enterprise. The outcome was life as usual with his business endeavors intact and undeterred by the legal maelstrom revolving around him.
On the political front, Trump’s prospective 2024 presidential campaign demonstrated an unforeseen surge of donations, promptly following the jury’s decision. His unwavering supporters decry this verdict as a blatant politically motivated witch hunt, a calculated move to smear his potential White House run. This predicament could potentially throw a spanner in the works of Trump’s wide-ranging business initiatives.
Trump’s business empire, The Trump Organization, holds liquor licenses in no fewer than nine states under its expansive umbrella. These states mandate that the holders of liquor licenses adhere to certain moral standards, necessitating that individuals dealing in alcohol distribution bring to the table a clean slate devoid of any past felony convictions.
Intriguingly, the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverages is reportedly initiating a probe into whether Trump can continue to hold on to his liquor licenses in the Garden State. The Trump organization possesses licenses to serve alcohol at its golf courses located in Bedminster, Colts Neck, and Pine Hill.
The galaxy of states that have licensed Trump’s organization to dispense alcohol includes Florida, New York, Illinois, Nevada, Virginia, North Carolina, California, Hawaii, and Washington, DC.
So prevalent is the misconception regarding Trump’s ownership of a casino that it’s worth clarifying the factual situation. That towering gold edifice emblazoned with his name on the Las Vegas Strip is a residential high-rise hotel, not a gaming resort as commonly misconstrued. “Trump International Hotel & Tower,” a luxurious 64-story building, offering 1,232 condominium suites and an exclusive 50 penthouse suites; services that include white-gloved doormen and round-the-clock concierge are among the amenities on offer. The tower is co-owned by The Trump Organization and Trump’s longtime friend and billionaire, Phil Ruffin.
Clark County, in Nevada, champions the cause of good moral character for its alcohol licensees but does not explicitly cite felony convictions as a disqualification. Hence, it’s unlikely that there will be any stoppage in the flow of alcohol at the DJT Restaurant & Bar and H2(EAU), the hotel’s two dining establishments.
Notably, Trump has no history of casino ownership, neither in Las Vegas nor Nevada, although he previously possessed multiple commercial casinos in Atlantic City and Indiana and held a stake in a tribal casino located in California’s Coachella.
Despite the blow dealt by the legal proceedings, Trump’s 2024 chances remain pretty strong. In fact, the betting odds emerging from the UK, where political betting is legitimized by law, position him as a slight favorite to dislodge President Joe Biden from the Oval Office. His supporters and backers are clashing to keep his campaign coffers adequately funded after his recent legal setback. A reported whopping $35 million was pumped into his campaign the day following the May 30 verdict. What’s more, prominent billionaires Stephen Schwarzman and Dr. Miriam Adelson have reportedly pledged their financial support to Trump’s political cause.
Dr. Adelson, the widow of Sheldon Adelson, is the major stockholder in the Las Vegas Sands casino empire. Schwarzman is the owner of the Blackstone, which owns iconic properties like The Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan, Aria, and Vdara on the Las Vegas Strip.
