Foreign diplomats feel pressure to stay at Trump's hotels

[Jacque67 7,328]

To many of the guests at the reception Tuesday, accepting an invitation to tour the $212 million hotel and check out the $20,000-a-night, 6,300-square-foot "town house" suite seemed like a good idea. They spoke admiringly about the renovation and left with a goody bag of chocolates and a brochure. It listed the choices of accommodations and meeting rooms, and expounded on the location's "striking prominence" at historical moments such as the Inauguration Day parade.

"Believe me, all the delegations will go there," said one Middle Eastern diplomat who recently toured the hotel and booked an overseas visitor. The diplomat said many stayed away from the hotel before the election for fear of a "Clinton backlash," but now it's the place to be seen.

In interviews with a dozen diplomats, many of whom declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak about anything related to the new U.S. president, some said spending money at Trump's hotel is an easy, friendly gesture to the new president.

"Why wouldn't I stay at his hotel blocks from the White House, so I can tell the new president, 'I love your new hotel!' Isn't it rude to come to his city and say, 'I am staying at your competitor?' " said one Asian diplomat.

Guests at the Trump hotel have begun parking themselves in the lobby, ordering expensive cocktails, hoping to see one of the Trump family members or the latest Cabinet pick. One foreign official hoped Trump, famous for the personal interest he takes in his businesses, might check the guest logs himself.

But several expressed concern that spending thousands of dollars on a Trump property could look like an attempt to buy access or favors.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/-Foreign-diplomats-see-spending-money-at-Trump-hotel-as-easy-gesture-to-new-president.html

Blind...trust...

[Dakine10 5,452]

"Believe me, all the delegations will go there," said one Middle Eastern diplomat who recently toured the hotel and booked an overseas visitor. The diplomat said many stayed away from the hotel before the election for fear of a "Clinton backlash," but now it's the place to be seen.

Wow, the guy even talks like Trump.

[JayJayH 546]

Wow, the guy even talks like Trump.

Big league. It's gonna be beautiful, beautiful, what the #### does he have to lose?

[yuna628 9,533]

Pay to play. Get ready for four years of fun ol' scandals.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Pay to play. Get ready for four years of fun ol' scandals.

The topic is not about Hillary

[yuna628 9,533]

The topic is not about Hillary

No, it's not.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

No, it's not.

I am old and get easily distracted. You said 4 years of scandals and pay for play I just assumed it was about Hillary.

[MarkPerry 488]

So people want to catch a glimpse of someone truly famous and important whom can make a difference in America and around the world. I say good for them.

I am sick and tired of actor and actress whom think their opinions are so important that it can influence others llike Cher, Amy Schumer, Miley Cirus, and all those other idiots whom threatened to leave the USA if Trump won, Funny how none of them kept their promise.

[Jacque67 7,328]

It will be interesting to see whether any rival DC hotel owners will have the guts to sue Donald under the emoluments clause...

http://www.heritage.org/constitution#!/articles/1/essays/68/emoluments-clause

[millefleur 5,038]

So people want to catch a glimpse of someone truly famous and important whom can make a difference in America and around the world. I say good for them.

I am sick and tired of actor and actress whom think their opinions are so important that it can influence others llike Cher, Amy Schumer, Miley Cirus, and all those other idiots whom threatened to leave the USA if Trump won, Funny how none of them kept their promise.

Anyone who would be influenced by celebrity endorsements of candidates/political figures needs a check up from the neck up.

[MarkPerry 488]

Anyone who would be influenced by celebrity endorsements of candidates/political figures needs a check up from the neck up.

I agree, there are a lot of sheep in the country. I just wish more entertainers would be like Elvis when he was asked about his opinion's on the Vietnam War, He told the reporter he would rather keep his opinion to himself.