DOJ is investigating Trump’s link to the Saudi-backed LIV Gulf tour
DOJ looking into Trump’s link to Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour – as a Mar-a-Lago associate has been revealed to be helping federal investigators investigate whether the former president hid documents at the Florida estate
- Donald Trump hosted the controversial Saudi Arabian LIV golf tour at his Bedminster course in July 2022 and his Doral course in October 2022
- On Thursday, the New York Times reported that the Justice Department had issued a subpoena for documents related to Trump’s agreement to the tour.
- It’s unclear what the subpoenas, which have been sent to the Trump Organization, relate to, but the New York Times said it suggested an investigation into the family business
The Justice Department has subpoenaed the Trump Organization for documents related to the Saudi-backed LIV golf tour, which Donald Trump hosted twice in 2022 and will host again in 2023.
Trump welcomed the tournament to his Bedminster, New Jersey course in July 2022. The tour returned to his properties in October 2022, with a match at his Doral, Florida course.
In 2023, the LIV tour will be played at Trump’s golf course on May 26-28. It will return to Bedminster from August 11-13 and Doral from October 20-22.
Last year’s events saw protests by relatives of 9/11 victims, who were angry at Trump’s friendship with the Saudi leadership. In a letter, the group said Trump’s decision to welcome the Saudis caused them “deep pain and anger” given Saudi Arabia’s role in the 2001 attacks.
The Trump Organization subpoena was reported Thursday by The New York Times.
It’s not clear what the subpoena pertains to, but the Times said it suggested investigators were investigating Trump’s family business.
LIV golf was founded in 2021, the year after Trump left the White House.
Donald Trump is pictured on his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey on July 28, 2022, as the LIV golf tournament was held
Trump is seen on May 4 at his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland
Trump and his wife are seen with King Salman of Saudi Arabia (2nd L) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in May 2017
Trump has defended his decision to host the Saudi Arabian-led tournament, which has sharply divided the golfing world.
With their almost unlimited funds, the Saudis are luring some of the best players in the world away from the PGA tour.
Those who go say the PGA doesn’t respect them. Those who reject the Saudi money, like Tiger Woods, say the PGA should be protected as the soul of the sport.
Trump said he had no problem supporting the breakout tour, telling the New York Times in October 2022 that Saudi officials are “good people with unlimited money” and that the US “has human rights issues here as much as anybody else.” .
A month later, Trump’s company agreed a deal with a Saudi real estate company planning a $4 billion project in Oman, including a Trump-branded hotel and golf course.
The Oman government owns the land where the complex is expected to be built, The New York Times reported, and is working with Dar Al Arkan, the Saudi company that signed the contract with the former president.
The Trump Organization declined to say how much they were paid to host the tournaments.
In a statement, Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, said the organization is “honored to host three LIV Golf events at our properties in 2023.”
He added: ‘What LIV Golf achieved in their first season has been truly remarkable, and we are excited to raise the bar even higher together in 2023.’