New York City loses court fight to boot Trump Organization from operating Bronx golf course

A ‘TRUMP’ branded helicopter sits near a putting green during a ribbon cutting event for a new clubhouse at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, June 11, 2018 in The Bronx borough of New York City.

A judge ruled Friday that the Trump Organization can continue to operate a golf course in the Bronx section of New York City, rejecting a court effort by the city to void its contract with the company owned by former President Donald Trump.

The city ended the Trump Organization's contract to operate the Trump Ferry Point 18-hole golf course in February 2021, weeks after a mob of Trump supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol and disrupted the confirmation of President Joe Biden.

The city canceled the company's contracts to operate two ice rinks and a carousel.

The city claimed in a letter to the Trump Organization that the Capitol riot made the Trump brand synonymous with an insurrection against the federal government.

The city was sued by the company in June after an appeal of the decision was denied.

The city relied on a section of the contract that required the Trump Organization to maintain the course in a way that would make it capable of attracting professional tournament quality events.

Trump's lawyers argued that the contract did not obligate the Trump Organization to host tournaments.

Lawyers for the city argued that the damage the riot did to the Trump brand impaired the facility's ability to attract professional tournaments.

There is no ambiguity in the Agreement that the Trump Organization is required to pay a first class, tournament quality daily fee, according to the Manhattan Supreme Court Judge.

James said that although the city argued that the phrases were ambiguous, they were not capable of multiple interpretations.

The Trump Organization would like to thank the court for its well-reasoned decision.

The City's attempts to end our long term license agreement to operate Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point Park were nothing more than a political vendetta.

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York City Law Department were weaponized by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in order to advance his own partisan agenda.

We are thrilled that we will continue to operate and manage what has been widely recognized as one of the most magnificent public golf experiences anywhere in the country.

Anyone holding a concession is held to a high standard. We are reviewing our legal options after the Court's decision.