President Trump reversed the administration’s decision to host the 2020 G-7 Summit at his National Doral Miami resort and dropped the property from consideration.
In a series of tweets Saturday night, the president initially defended the move, saying he thought it would be “very good” for the United States.
“I thought I was doing something very good for our Country by using Trump National Doral, in Miami, for hosting the G-7 Leaders,” he said. “It is big, grand, on hundreds of acres, next to MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, has tremendous ballrooms & meeting rooms, and each delegation would have its own 50 to 70 unit building.”
He added, “Would set up better than other alternatives. I announced that I would be willing to do it at NO PROFIT or, if legally permissible, at ZERO COST to the USA. But, as usual, the Hostile Media & their Democrat Partners went CRAZY!”
…..its own 50 to 70 unit building. Would set up better than other alternatives. I announced that I would be willing to do it at NO PROFIT or, if legally permissible, at ZERO COST to the USA. But, as usual, the Hostile Media & their Democrat Partners went CRAZY!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2019
He then went on to announce that his administration would no longer be considering the resort for use during the summit.
“Therefore, based on both Media & Democrat Crazed and Irrational Hostility, we will no longer consider Trump National Doral, Miami, as the Host Site for the G-7 in 2020. We will begin the search for another site, including the possibility of Camp David, immediately. Thank you!” he tweeted.
….Therefore, based on both Media & Democrat Crazed and Irrational Hostility, we will no longer consider Trump National Doral, Miami, as the Host Site for the G-7 in 2020. We will begin the search for another site, including the possibility of Camp David, immediately. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2019
Earlier in the evening, the White House defended the decision to use the president’s resort as the event’s venue, saying it was a “significantly cheaper option for taxpayers and our foreign guests.” The administration added that the summit would be held “at cost,” meaning without profit.
Both Republicans and Democrats had expressed concern over the use of Trump’s resort, which has suffered a net operating income loss during his presidency, ever since acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney announced the venue on Thursday. GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger pointed to concerns over the emoluments clause, saying he’s “not happy” about the decision.
Democrats had also slammed the move as “corruption, plain and simple” and even introduced the Trump’s Heist Undermines the G-7 (THUG) Act, which would attempt to block the use of the Trump resort for the event by prohibiting funding for the G-7 Summit.
