When Donald Trump labeled Mexican immigrants “rapists” in announcing his candidacy in June of last year, he lost contracts with Nascar, Macy’s, NBC Universal, Univision, even Serta mattresses. Not surprisingly, his three eldest children — Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric — began worrying about whether the marketability of the Trump brand could survive the campaign undamaged.
Worry they should, if Mr. Trump’s new hotel, which Mr. Trump himself opened last week, is any indication. The hotel is on Pennsylvania Avenue, a short walk from the White House, and to a lot of people, just walking through the door seems like a political act. Mr. Trump’s name festoons the key cards, the laundry bags, the bathrobes and slippers. It’s hard not to feel that a dollar spent there is a dollar for the Trump campaign.
“I don’t know who’s going to book it, because it’s so contentious,” a local convention planner said.
On Tuesday, the place seemed eerily empty. You could book a room for next weekend for less than $400. A week ago, the minimum rate was twice that.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/24/opinion/donald-trumps-shiny-new-washington-hotel.html?_r=0
Worry they should, if Mr. Trump’s new hotel, which Mr. Trump himself opened last week, is any indication. The hotel is on Pennsylvania Avenue, a short walk from the White House, and to a lot of people, just walking through the door seems like a political act. Mr. Trump’s name festoons the key cards, the laundry bags, the bathrobes and slippers. It’s hard not to feel that a dollar spent there is a dollar for the Trump campaign.
“I don’t know who’s going to book it, because it’s so contentious,” a local convention planner said.
On Tuesday, the place seemed eerily empty. You could book a room for next weekend for less than $400. A week ago, the minimum rate was twice that.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/24/opinion/donald-trumps-shiny-new-washington-hotel.html?_r=0
