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Trump Entertainment Resorts

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For hotels currently associated with the Trump family, see The Trump Organization.
Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry
Founded1995; 29 years ago (1995)
Defunct2016 (2016)
FateBankrupt, assets acquired, resold by Icahn Enterprises
Key people
Donald Trump (founder), Carl Icahn (controlling stakeholder)
ProductsTrump One Card
Revenue$175.6M (2016)

Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. was a gambling and hospitality company. The company previously owned and operated the now-demolished Trump Plaza and Trump World's Fair (both in Atlantic City), the now-closed Trump Marina, Trump Casino & Hotel in Gary, Indiana, Trump 29 in Coachella, California, and Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. It was founded in 1995 as Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts by Donald Trump, who after 2004 held only a minority ownership. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2004, 2009 and 2014. It became a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises in 2016. Since then, all of the company's properties have been closed and sold.

History

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The beginning

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Donald Trump began purchasing properties along the Atlantic City boardwalk in the early 1980s and received a casino license from the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (CCC) on March 15, 1982.[1] He had planned to build his own casino on the boardwalk, but was stalled on the project when Mike Rose, then CEO of Holiday Inn and Harrah's approached him to manage construction of a Holiday Inn Casino-Hotel. It opened in May 1984 and two years later Trump bought out Holiday Inn's shares in the property and renamed it the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino.[2]

In 1985, Trump purchased the nearly-complete Atlantic City Hilton hotel and casino property at the Atlantic marina from Hilton Hotels for $325 million. The hotel chain sold the property after its application for a gaming license was turned down by the CCC.[3] Trump originally opened the property as Trump's Castle Hotel Casino, and later renamed it the Trump Marina.

In 1988, Trump purchased the unfinished Taj Mahal property from Resorts International for $230 million after negotiations with Merv Griffin in which the two men divided the assets of the failing company.[4] The casino, at the time the largest in Atlantic City, would eventually cost almost $1 billion by the time it opened in 1990. Trump completed the project using junk bonds, a decision that hurt the company afterward as the gaming industry struggled in a recession and interest rates became unmanageable.[5][6]

The company was shaken by the deaths of three key executives in an October 10, 1989 helicopter crash in northern New Jersey while they were returning from a New York press conference promoting an upcoming Atlantic City boxing event. The men were Steven F. Hyde, the CEO of Trump's casino operations, Mark Grossinger Etess, the president and chief operating officer of the Taj Mahal, and Trump Plaza executive vice president Jonathan Benanav.[7]

In 1995, Trump established Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts (THCR) as a publicly traded company, granting it ownership of the Trump Plaza and the under-development Trump Casino in Gary, Indiana.[8] The company traded under the symbol DJT.[9] The following year, THCR bought the Trump Taj Mahal at a valuation of $890 million,[10][11] and bought the Trump Castle from Trump for $486 million (including $355 million in assumed debt).[12]

In 1996, the company opened Trump World's Fair, a casino adjunct to the Trump Plaza.[13] The World's Fair was closed in 1999, with plans to replace it with a larger resort.[14]

In 1997, THCR was one of eleven applicants for three casino licenses available in Detroit, with a $542-million proposal for the Trump Motor City Hotel Casino, in partnership with Mel Farr.[15] The bid was ultimately dropped from consideration because of Mayor Dennis Archer's doubts about the company's financial condition.[15]

In 1998, THCR business consultants spent at least $68,000 on a trip to Cuba in violation to the United States embargo against Cuba. According to a report by Newsweek, the consulting firm Seven Arrows Investment and Development instructed THCR on how to evade the embargo by linking the money to a charitable effort.[16]

In 1999, THCR agreed to purchase the Flamingo Hilton Casino Kansas City for $15 million,[17] but the deal fell through when Missouri gaming regulators did not approve the company's gaming license by a contractual deadline.[18]

THCR entered a management agreement in 2000 to operate the Spotlight 29 Casino, an Indian casino in Coachella, California.[19]

Financial troubles

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Trump Entertainment Resorts and its predecessors have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection four times, in 1991, following construction of the $1-billion Trump Taj Mahal, and in 2004, 2009 and 2014.

In 2004, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts explored various options for restructuring its debt, amid speculation that it might file for bankruptcy. A possible arrangement with Credit Suisse First Boston was not completed because the bondholders rejected it.[20]

On October 21, 2004, the company announced a preliminary agreement with its investors. Trump, who had been the majority owner, would reduce his stock ownership from 56 to 27 percent. Bondholders would surrender some of their debt in exchange for stock. On October 27, the company announced that Morgan Stanley would be the joint lead arranger for a $500 million financing as part of the restructuring plan.[citation needed] On November 21, the company filed for bankruptcy. Trump said the filing was "really just a technical thing" as the best way to implement the restructuring plan.[21] The plan was submitted to the bankruptcy court on December 16, 2004.

After the 2004 bankruptcy, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts changed its name to Trump Entertainment Resorts (TER), and Trump ceased to play an active role in the company.[22]

In 2005, the company's involvement in the Spotlight 29 Casino ended, as the tribe bought out the casino management agreement for $6 million.[23] Later that year, TER sold its Indiana casino to The Majestic Star Casino, LLC for $253 million.[24][25] The company had also been awarded a license to build a second casino in Orange County, Indiana, but dropped this plan, due in part to the state's concerns about the company's viability.[26]

In 2007, the company attempted to negotiate a buyout with several public and private firms, but on July 2, it announced that it could not reach a deal, and would take itself off the market. The company planned to lay off employees in order to cut costs.[27]

2009 bankruptcy and restructuring

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The casino group filed for bankruptcy again in February 2009,[28][29] owing $1.2 billion. Two sets of debt holders eventually proposed reorganization plans for the group in U.S. bankruptcy court.

Trump initially made an agreement with banker and poker player Andrew Beal, owner of Beal Bank, which held $500 million in the group's debt, to take over the resorts. However, citing concerns about the bank's lack of gaming experience, he dropped them in favor of hedge fund Avenue Capital Management, a plan favored by other bondholders. Beal then partnered with investor, Carl Icahn, who had worked on restructuring another Atlantic City casino, the Tropicana.[30] In court, Trump argued that he would fight the Icahn/Beal team if they sought to use his name and likeness on the group's properties.[31] Instead he signed an agreement with Avenue Capital in which he would receive 5% stock in the reorganized company and another 5% in exchange for the use of his name and likeness in perpetuity.

The bankruptcy court eventually sided with the Trump/Avenue partnership, favored by bond holders who believed that Trump's brand would result in a stronger company after reorganization.[32]

In 2011, TER sold the Trump Marina to Landry's Restaurants, which also operates the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.[33]

Post-2009 bankruptcy

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In February 2013, the company agreed to sell the Trump Plaza for $20 million to the Meruelo Group, a California-based company whose holdings include the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The proceeds would be used to pay down the company's debt to a level of $270 million. CEO Robert Griffin said TER would consider also selling the Trump Taj Mahal for the right price.[34] However, Carl Icahn, who held the mortgage on the Trump casinos, would reject the sale of the Trump Plaza.[35]

In early August 2014, Donald Trump filed a lawsuit demanding removal of his name from the company's two casinos, because they had allegedly been allowed to fall into disrepair, in breach of the licensing agreement for Trump's name.[36]

2014 bankruptcy

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In September 2014, Trump Entertainment Resorts filed again for bankruptcy,[37][38] and closed the Trump Plaza.[39] On a motion made by union UNITE HERE Local 54,[40] relating to the bankruptcy action, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled in Trump Entertainment's favor on January 15, 2016, and held that Trump Entertainment could reject the continuing terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement with the union, an agreement that had already expired by its terms. This case was significant as it was a matter of First impression among the courts of appeal and could significantly alter the balance of power between debtor-employers and their unions.[41]

Entrance to the Trump Taj Mahal at night, Atlantic City, New Jersey

The company eventually exited bankruptcy in February 2016 and became a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises.[42]

Folding of the company

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On October 10, 2016, the Trump Taj Mahal, the company's last operating property, closed for the final time.[43] Trump Entertainment continued to operate to deal with the transfer of some points on the Trump One card account. All of the websites related to the company were redirected to DonaldJTrump.com.

Trump Plaza remained vacant after the company had gone defunct and its assets were acquired by Icahn Enterprises. In November 2017, it was revealed that Icahn was looking to demolish the casino,[44] and was seeking $5.6 million in tax funds to pay for the demolition,[45] but this caused a rift between Icahn and the local government, delaying the project. On December 14, 2018, the deadline for demolishing it officially passed, meaning Trump Plaza would remain standing through the winter.[46] Later that month, Icahn terminated the deed restriction on the property and bought out a complicated lease, making a sale more attractive.

The building was declared a hazard by the city in March 2020;[47] demolition began that summer, and the main hotel tower was imploded on February 17, 2021.[48][49] A charity auction benefited the Boys and Girls Club, with most of the money coming from Icahn after he objected to the original plan to auction off the right to press the demolition button.[50]

Former properties

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The company's properties included:

References

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  1. ^ Trump, Donald and Schwartz, Tony, Trump: the art of the deal, Random House Digital, Inc., 2004, page 204
  2. '^ Blair, Gwenda, The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire, Simon and Schuster, 2001, page 345 The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire
  3. ^ Delugach, Al, Hilton Negotiating to Sell Its Atlantic City Hotel-Casino to Trump, L.A. Times, April 19, 1985
  4. ^ Easton, Nina, Merv Griffin's Outrageous Fortune..., L.A. Times, July 24, 1988
  5. ^ Clark, Kenneth, Trump Taj Mahal Casino-hotel Opens With A Bang, Chicago Tribune, April 6, 1990
  6. ^ Atlas, D. Riva (May 7, 2002). "After his gloom went over like a lead balloon, Trump tries to sell happiness, in junk bonds". The New York Times. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  7. ^ Hanley, Robert (October 11, 1989). "Copter Crash Kills 3 Aides Of Trump". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  8. ^ Floyd Norris (June 7, 1995). "Trump Plaza casino stock trades today on Big Board". New York Times. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  9. ^ Wyatte Grantham-Philips (March 22, 2024). "Trump's social media company approved to go public, potentially netting former president billions". Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  10. ^ David Cay Johnston (January 9, 1996). "Trump moves to put Taj Mahal in his company". New York Times. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  11. ^ Form 8-K: Current Report (Report). Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc. May 2, 1996. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  12. ^ Douglas Feiden (October 1, 1996). "Trump co. buying Castle". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  13. ^ Amy S. Rosenberg (May 16, 1996). "At Trump's World's Fair opening, gamblers hope casino 13 is lucky". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-15.
  14. ^ Patrick Jenkins (February 17, 2000). "Trump closes old resort for new one in Atlantic City, N.J." Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved 2014-12-15.
  15. ^ a b JC Reindl (June 21, 2016). "Donald Trump's 1997 bid for Detroit casino showed off campaign style". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  16. ^ Eichenwald, Kurt (September 29, 2016). "Donald Trump's company violated the U.S. embargo against Cuba". Newsweek. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  17. ^ Alm, Rick (January 15, 1999). "Trump buying casino in KC". Kansas City Star – via NewsBank.
  18. ^ Alm, Rick (September 14, 1999). "KC Flamingo to be bought by Station". Kansas City Star. p. A1.
  19. ^ Tom Gorman; Dan Morain (March 9, 2000). "Palm Springs tribe, Trump sign casino deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-12-15.
  20. ^ Lore Croghan (September 24, 2004). "Trump Hotels says deal with Credit Suisse First Boston is dead". Daily News.
  21. ^ "Trump casinos file for bankruptcy; 'Apprentice' star's firm seeks protection from creditors". Associated Press. November 22, 2004.
  22. ^ Bary, Andrew (April 30, 2011). "More Troubles in Trump Land". Barron's. Trump, the former chairman, plays no formal role in the new company.
  23. ^ Rick Davis (February 15, 2005). "Casino reannointed 'Spotlight 29' in Trump-deal buyout". The Public Record. Palm Springs, CA. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015.
  24. ^ "Trump to sell Gary casino to Majestic Star for $253 million". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 4, 2005. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  25. ^ "Trump Entertainment Resorts completes sale of Trump Indiana riverboat to Majestic Star" (Press release). Trump Entertainment Resorts. December 21, 2005. Retrieved 2014-12-14 – via EDGAR.
  26. ^ "Trump drops plans for Orange County casino". WIBC-FM. March 2, 2005. Archived from the original on 2017-08-27. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  27. ^ William Spain (July 2, 2007). "No Trump Entertainment deal; shares plunge". MarketWatch.
  28. ^ "Trump Entertainment Resorts Chapter 11 Petition" (PDF). PacerMonitor. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  29. ^ Love, Zach, Bankruptcy Roundup: Trump Dumps Casinos, Fortunoff Gets Sued, and Peanut Corp. Goes Under, Law.Com, Feb. 17, 2009
  30. ^ Grant, Peter, Icahn Leaps Into Trump Casino Battle, Wall Street Journal, Dec. 14, 2009
  31. ^ Church, Steven, Trump Argues Name Can't Be Used By Icahn for Casinos (Update4), Bloomberg, February 23, 2010
  32. ^ Gallagher, Mary Pat, Trump-Icahn Bankruptcy Pact OK'd but Bondholders' Legal Fees Unresolved, Law.Com, Oct. 8, 2010
  33. ^ Trump Entertainment to sell Atlantic City Marina Hotel for $38M, Star-Ledger, Feb. 14, 2011
  34. ^ Parry, Wayne (February 14, 2013). "Atlantic City's Trump Plaza goes for bargain $20M". Yahoo News. AP. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  35. ^ "Carl Icahn won't approve sale of Trump Plaza for $20M". Press of Atlantic City. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  36. ^ Parry, Wayne (5 August 2014). "Trump: Plaza and Taj Mahal too shabby to bear his name anymore". philly.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  37. ^ "Trump Entertainment Resorts" (PDF). PacerMonitor. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  38. ^ "Trump Entertainment Resorts Files For Bankruptcy". Huffington Post. Reuters. September 9, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  39. ^ Mark Berman (September 16, 2014). "Trump Plaza closes, making it official: A third of Atlantic City's casinos have closed this year". Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  40. ^ "UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  41. ^ Salzberg, Mark A. (23 January 2016). "Trump (Entertainment) Wins! Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and Union CBAs". The National Law Review. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  42. ^ Christopher Palmieri (February 26, 2016). "Trump's former Atlantic City jewel exits bankruptcy, now Icahn's". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
  43. ^ "Trump Entertainment Resorts". Archived from the original on October 2, 2016.
  44. ^ Huba, Nicholas (November 2, 2017). "Trump Plaza set to be razed in the coming months".
  45. ^ Huba, Nicholas (22 November 2017). "Icahn seeking $5.6 million in tax funds to cover demolition".
  46. ^ Danzis, David (14 December 2018). "No word on future of Trump Plaza as another demolition deadline passes". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  47. ^ Parry, Wayne (March 12, 2020). "Atlantic City wants ex-Trump casino razed; owner agrees". Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  48. ^ "Trump casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, demolished" (with video). BBC News. February 17, 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  49. ^ Parry, Wayne (February 17, 2021). "Former Trump casino where stars played goes out with a bang". Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  50. ^ Comegno, Carol; Coppola, Anthony V. (February 17, 2021). "Trump Plaza implosion signals end of an era in Atlantic City". Cherry Hill Courier-Post. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
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