President Donald Trump’s adult sons, who now manage his sprawling business empire, were guests of honor at the launch of a new luxury golf course in Dubai, the first opening of a Trump-branded property since Inauguration Day.
Eric and Donald Jr. presided as the red carpet was rolled out at the 30,000-square-foot (2,787 sq meter) clubhouse for the Trump International Golf Course, the first Trump golf resort in the Arab world.
The plush kick-off event started just after sunset on a clear, blustery evening. Guests -- a mix of local and foreign business people -- were treated to canapes of quail egg, tuna tartar and spring rolls, and a string orchestra played Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” No alcohol was served.
The 18-hole course is part of a larger villa and apartment building project by Dubai-based developer Damac Properties Dubai Co. PJSC, which is owned by billionaire Hussain Sajwani. The layout was designed by architect Gil Hanse, who also designed the 2016 Olympic course in Rio de Janeiro.
A corporate membership is about $15,000 (55,000 dirhams) up front plus about $21,800 per year, according to a rate card distributed at the event. A single person can join for $6,800 plus a $9,530 annual fee.
Damac has a second resort under development, the Trump World Golf Club Dubai, which is being designed by golfer Tiger Woods. Damac paid Trump as much as $10 million in 2015 and the first part of 2016, according to his financial disclosure filed in May.
Mar-a-Lago Party
As president-elect, Trump said he turned down a $2 billion deal with a major property developer in Dubai because he didn’t “want to take advantage of something.” Damac confirmed the talks with Trump, without specifying whether the deal involved properties in Dubai or when the discussions took place.
Sajwani and his family attended the lavish New Year’s Eve party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump, then the president-elect, praised his Dubai partner. It’s unclear if that was where Trump and Sajwani discussed additional property deals. Trump is spending a third consecutive weekend at Mar-a-Lago while his sons represent him in Dubai.
Trump, the first billionaire U.S. president, didn’t divest from his assets upon becoming commander in chief, bucking a norm established over four decades by U.S. leaders and their deputies. His refusal poses unprecedented conflicts of interest given Trump’s estimated $3.6 billion in assets and more than $600 million of debt tying him to businesses and governments in about 20 countries.