NY Times: "Golfers Say Trump Reneged on Deal"

As the New York Times examines Republican party efforts to derail Donald Trump's bid for the presidency, Joe Nocera of the same publication looks at the candidate's battle with Trump National Jupiter members.

Trump inherited a long waiting list to resign from the club along with $30 million in debt related to future membership refunds. Nocera outlines how Trump has worked to either not pay some of those deposits or settle for less than the full amount. Or face lawsuits.

Some of the members had to swallow the loss (in return for some paltry benefits) because they had bought time shares or homes that were part of the resort development. Others negotiated settlements. Still others sued. One suit has gained class-action status, and if a federal judge doesn’t dismiss the case between now and June (unlikely), it will go to trial.

Trump, however, wanted nothing to do with them. He immediately barred them from the club, and said he would no longer accept their dues. (According to a brief filed by the plaintiffs in the class-action suit, Trump later complained that the people on the resignation list were in arrears on their dues.) As he bluntly put it in his Dec. 17 letter, “If you choose to remain on the resignation list — you’re out.”

According to one attendee, the members listened in stunned silence.