“Anything But Trump” Act
Donald J. Trump has been a newsmaker for decades before he entered the Presidential race. He is a successful businessman who has amassed a fortune with a net worth of four billion dollars. The name Trump is attached to a large number of products and services, from financial and brokerage firms to home furnishings, coffee and chocolate brands.
One such project is the Donald J. Trump State Park. Mr. Trump originally purchased the 436 acre property in Westchester County and Putnam County in the 1990’s, with the intention of creating a golf course. After Mr. Trump was unable to gain town approvals to develop the private golf course, he decided to donate the land for use as a state park. This 2006 donation was claimed as a $100 million tax write off for Mr. Trump. The deal stipulated that the property will bear Mr. Trump’s name, in acknowledgment of these gifts.
Following Mr. Trump’s controversial comments about Muslims and racial minorities, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblyman Charles Levine have introduced the “Anything But Trump Act.” The act is an attempt to strip the park of Mr. Trump’s name. Whether this act will pass in the legislature, remains to be seen.
Trumps’ response to this act has been that NY State is welcome to return the land to his ownership.
It will be interesting to see how this battle plays out in the legal arena. From the halachic perspective, Lehavdil, what is the Torah view on putting donor names on dedications?
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