A Bronx golf course managed by the Trump Organization will host a controversial tournament with ties to Saudi Arabia’s government, according to a report — despite opposition from the city, which owns the green.
The Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point will serve as the site of a women’s tournament that is part of the Saudi-backed Aramco Team Series, the New York Times reported Friday.
The city owns the course and reportedly authorized the tournament, but Mayor Eric Adams’ administration opposes the event, his press secretary, Fabien Levy, said Friday.
What You Need To Know
- The Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, which is managed by the Trump Organization and owned by the city, will host a controversial tournament with ties to Saudi Arabia's government, according to a report
- The city reportedly authorized the tournament, but Mayor Eric Adams’ administration opposes the event, his press secretary said
- The city had tried to cut ties with the Ferry Points course back in January 2021, but a judge ruled that it could not legally do so
- Advocates and politicians including President Joe Biden have issued harsh criticism for the country’s human rights violations, including the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
“While we disagree with the values of the Trump Organization, we cannot legally block their application,” Levy said in a statement provided to NY1.
The city had tried to cut ties with the Ferry Points course back in January 2021, when then-Mayor Bill de Blasio moved to cancel the Trump Organization’s contract following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
A judge in April, however, ruled that the city could not legally do so.
A spokesman for the city’s Law Department on Friday pointed to that ruling to explain the Adams’ administration’s reported greenlighting of the tournament.
“As the decision in the previous administration’s court case displayed, contractually, the city is obligated to follow the terms of the Trump Ferry license agreement, and cannot unreasonably withhold approval of this tournament,” the spokesman said in a statement.
The Aramco Team Series tournament in question is set to take place in October, the Times reported.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund serves as its “presenting partner,” and Aramco — the country’s public oil and gas company — is sponsoring it, according to the outlet.
Advocates and politicians including President Joe Biden have issued harsh criticism for the country’s human rights violations, including the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Another Saudi-backed golf tournament held at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey last month, meanwhile, drew the ire of a group of 9/11 victims’ family members, who hope to see the country held responsible for the attacks, the Times reported.
The Trump Organization didn’t immediately respond to request for comment on the tournament.