A city liquor board will consider Wednesday if the Trump International Hotel meets the “good character” test required for any establishment to sell wine, beer, or spirits in Washington, D.C.
Several residents of the District complained that President Trump, the owner of the hotel, does not meet the qualifications of that test, Politico reported.
In the complaint to the D.C. Alcohol Beverage Control Board, the group of residents listed Trump’s moral failures and called him a liar, fraudster, and a racist who associates with criminals.
“The merits of the complaint are strong,” Joshua Levy, an attorney representing the residents, said. “The evidence of Mr. Trump’s bad character is strong.”
In the past, the liquor control board has denied liquor licenses to establishment owners due to character flaws such as lying to investigators, misrepresenting finances, or having run-ins with the law.
The hotel opened in the Old Post Office building in 2016 and has become a popular gathering place for administration aides and other Trump loyalists. Trump, who does not drink, has held events there and appeared at major fundraisers. Even foreign government officials frequent the Trump International Hotel in D.C.
Taking away the liquor license of the hotel could cause events business to stagnate, including weddings and fundraisers.
All of the local Alcohol Beverage Control Board leaders were appointed by the city’s Democratic mayor, but it’s too soon to say whether or not the board will decide to begin the evaluation of “good character” process by recommending a review.
