Developer Blasts 'Toxic' Trump Brand After Tower Plans Go Up in Smoke

Plans for Australia’s inaugural Trump Tower have crumbled, and the developer isn’t holding back. David Young, the mastermind behind Altus Property Group, pointed fingers at the “toxic” reputation of Donald Trump’s brand as the culprit for the project's demise, just three months post-announcement.

“With the Iran war and everything else, the Trump brand was increasingly toxic in Australia,” Young told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “We knew it was time to part company.” Talk about a mic drop!

The ambitious 91-story Trump International Hotel & Tower on the Gold Coast was poised to be a skyline dominator, boasting the title of Australia’s tallest building. But that dream quickly turned into a nightmare.

Public sentiment soured fast, with an online petition amassing over 140,000 signatures from locals who were less than thrilled about the Trump name. “Many residents are deeply uncomfortable with the Trump brand and what it represents,” the petition stated, echoing a chorus of discontent.

In a twist, a spokesperson for the Trump Organization fired back, claiming Young’s team failed to meet basic financial obligations. Ouch! The drama thickens.

Young took to LinkedIn to share his side of the saga, stating, “This is an ongoing project and behind the headlines there are facts. The major point is that in recent events, the brand in this country has become toxic to Australians.” He didn’t mince words.

He further lamented that “the writing was on the wall when the war started,” hinting at geopolitical tensions affecting local perceptions.

Young defended the Trump Organization, arguing that it’s unfairly painted as toxic. “Trump Org is a non-political organization run by Eric and Don Jr., with over 136 resorts and towers globally. Yet here in Australia, both media and certain organizations sensationalize Donald Trump,” he ranted.

Then came the gloves-off moment: Young called out the progressive activist group Get Up, accusing them of being “equally toxic, professional and paid for protesters.” He claimed their petition was misleading, stating, “Would it surprise anyone to know that less than 10% of those signatures are from the Gold Coast?”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate weighed in, suggesting profit margins were at play. “The Trump Organization wants a lot more for their brand on the funding side,” he explained. “Meanwhile, the developer’s going, ‘I’m putting in all my money and you’re going to take quite a lot of profit.’” Sounds like a classic case of mismatched expectations!

Despite the fallout, Young insists there’s no bad blood with the Trump family. “Why would there be after knowing them for 19 years when no one here then even knew who Donald Trump was?” he wrote.

As for the future of the Altus project? Young confirmed it will move forward—sans the Trump name. “It is pure business,” he declared. “My team and I look forward to completing the project. And as an old expression goes, ‘never let the truth get in the way of a good story.’”