Trump Sues Palm Beach Over Airport Expansion

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jul 21st 2010 at 6:01PM

Usually I hear about Donald Trump being sued but this time he's going on the offensive in Palm Beach. He has filed a lawsuit suing Palm Beach County over the planned expansion at Palm Beach International Airport. Trump doesn't want the airport to have a second commercial runway and filed suit to block the proposal. Why is Trump against the airport? The flight path would take planes over Trump's Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago estate.

"They are wanting to spend, by the time they finish, over $1 billion to add a runway that's totally unnecessary," Trump told local station WPBF 25 News in a telephone interview. "In order to add the runway, they have to rip down hundreds of millions of dollars in buildings that have just been built where they store the airplanes and offices." Trump says the runway is unnecessary because there is less air traffic and that there is already another runway that could be expanded.

Trump also wants former airport director Bruce Pelly to pay damages caused by jets flying over Trump's home. Trump had previously filed a lawsuit in 1995 saying that noise and exhaust from the jets caused damage to the home. That suit was settled with a deal that had the county agreeing to keep noise levels from rising in the future. As part of the deal, Trump built a luxury golf course on county land that the county agreed to lease to Trump.

Tags: donald trump, Mar-a-Lago, palm

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)

p Jul 22nd 2010 10:56PM

But he has no problem trying to build a golf course in Scotland when the locals do not want it?

Dan Mar 29th 2012 12:38AM

Did all of you negative commenter's read the part about ." They are wanting to spend over $1 billion to add a runway that's totally unnecessary," "In order to add the runway, they have to rip down hundreds of millions of dollars in buildings that have just been built" , ." Trump says the runway is unnecessary because there is less air traffic and that there is already another runway that could be expanded.

I live in New Jersey where the politicians and builders are constantly building something and then knocking it down and building again, becoming filthy rich while we have the highest taxes in the country.

My daughter, her husband, and my only grand children, along with their in laws moved to Texas to escape the taxes. My only sister, her husband, and my nephew, moved to Alabama because of the tax burden. My mother had to move into a subsidized apartment because the real estate taxes consumed almost her entire social security check. If someone doesn't fight to stop unnecessary spending then the rest of you will be taxed to the point of working like slaves to make the elite richer, just like we do here in New Jersey.

." They are wanting to spend over $1 billion to add a runway that's totally unnecessary," "In order to add the runway, they have to rip down hundreds of millions of dollars in buildings that have just been built" , ." the runway is unnecessary because there is less air traffic and that there is already another runway that could be expanded

InsideAnswers Jul 23rd 2010 12:31AM

Whatever Donald wants is ok with me. He's a smart man. It's about MORE than just more planes flying over his house from an additional runway. It's about all the other reasons he mentions. He usually always makes sense. He is very smart...and asthetically minded as well as architecturally minded, as well as unnecessary financial waste minded.
He's a billionaire for a reason, but he also is a good guy and concerned about legitimate common sense points.

JPL Jul 23rd 2010 12:45AM

Maybe Mr. Trump now knows how the people in Scotland feel. Some of the village residents are not happy with how he is disturbing their peace and quiet with his building plans and golf course. I hope these moguls get a clue soon, that they can't keep destroying nature without there being repercussions to what they are doing. I hope the court looks at what Mr. Trump does in the world to further his agenda before siding with him. JPL

InsideAnswers Jul 23rd 2010 1:02AM

JPL - The last time I checked, golf courses are very quiet AND clean!! Give me a break... Golf courses are a great asset to people all over the world who love to have a hobby of sports; i.e., playing golf..., or even are professionals.

One point (the proposed SECOND airport runway) has nothing to do with the other (a beautiful golfcourse in Scotland).

David S. Jul 23rd 2010 6:08AM

Trump is a hoot --- didn't he try to bully that woman into giving up her home in Atlantic City some years back so be could expand his casino? Ha...karma's a bitch, Don.....enjoy the planes.

njbbright Jul 23rd 2010 8:11AM

did anyone read this? You all sound like complete morons! He said he didn't want ANOTHER un-necessary runway!!!!!! He didn't say that he didn't want the airport. come on, read the whole article FIRST, then use your brain and stop hating just because he has money. WHAT a enry laden society we live in....

Dominic Jul 23rd 2010 8:50AM

People are upset with Donald because he is rich. He made it on his own and worked hard to get where he is at. I do not agree with all of his comments but he does have valid points. If we had his money we woulld probably feel the same way he does.
Don't tear the man down because of what he has. I usually do not get involved wth this sort of thing but let's get real he made a good deal and peole are upset with him. To top it all off people feel because of his deal he should not complain about the airport. It just proves how smart Donald is by getting a good deal on the property for his golf cousrse and he wants to protect the deal he received.
Stop the nonsense and leave the man alone.

vpeculiarperson Jul 23rd 2010 9:56AM

I am going to go against both the PBC and everyone else because the PBC claim they have no money so how can they come up with over a Billion.00 when there are no jobs, they claim that unemployment money has ran out, but here they are building an extra and un-necesary peace of airport, I would only like a GOOD explanaton for that. people are loosing their houses, homes, loosing their minds, but they want to had on to the airport, it seem like human life means nothing anymore in this country becacuse I know that if they would spread that money around in areas where it is needed it would be a much more apreciated than to ADD on to some airport that is not needed at all, it seem like this county is trying to get rid of the poor people out of PBC, and with a larger airport guess what, more rich folks come in and the lesser income people have to move out of PBC, I do believe that that is the idea behind all of this, low income people cannot afford plain tickets

shirtzar@aol.com Jul 23rd 2010 10:29AM

Well maybe there is some sense in not tearing down millions of dollars of new buildings to add a new runway. Although I do not agree with the way Mr Trump is handling this matter .Suing this means he wants money as well a stopping the project . Or will they work another deal out where Mr Trump gets something else he ants for free in order to drop the case which I am sure is going to be the case ! Does he not have enough? I do not think that he needs to sue to get what he would like accomplished , in this case he only benefits he is the one getting compensated any way you look at it .
Seems like My Trump is always getting something for nothing ! He is forever filing for bankruptcy then walking away from millions of dollars of debt and starting right where he left off rich ! He is always suing someone or filing bankruptcy , I see him suing more than being sued he taste well I would not say he is smart architecturally maybe a good businessman cut throat . I do not trust him nor do I believe he should have the right to sue Palm Beach County and use our tax money for court expenses and compensation if it came to this . Why should or tax money go to him or be used for a case that can be resolved outside of the court room . He is always in court this means he is using tax payers money over and over .
I just moved down to Florida fro NYC after 30 years for reasons well the taxes where so high and the over all cost of living was over the top . In order just to live a regular well there seems to be almost no more middle class in NYC either rich or poor . One must make at least $150,000 a year that is just living a very simple live maybe a studio apartment in Hells Kitchen .
I am not against the rich they made it we all have chance at making it if we want to put our lives into the at of making money this Is America . But Mr Trump he rubs me the wrong way he is not one of the rich I know who are kind and real people . He has taken his gift and turned it into a weapon to destroy anything that gets in his way . There has to be something more than just the planes flying over his Home which I thought was a Hotel any way . Is this is home or a resort for the rich ? Whatever he is doing this for other reasons than caring about the tearing down of millions of dollars of new buildings and the noise level over his home . Which I am sure one would have to be standing on the roof to truly get the effects of a plane landing. I do not think they fly this close to Mr Trumps home .. what does he thinks that maybe it is like tour bus , where there drive buy famous stars homes ? Maybe he wants a cut of this ? Seriously how long has he owned and lived there he has to know what the sounds like if there is any noise at all ? I think he wants something out of this and I do not mean the money from suing the county .. I mean they is a bigger reason behind his motives they always is . And Last Donald Pleases has anyone told you that the rug on you head or the dead animal is not a good look for you go natural . Please for everyone sake ! MSL

Nick Jul 23rd 2010 11:57AM

In Italy they tax the rich but they dont mind it. The youth graduate college free Health care is very good , FREE..................But in USA its money, money, money.
I am in sheer bliss when I visit Italy.......my family there love my stories.
All their playthings, Limos, Planes, Gross uglyness of their homes, take a toll on mother earth............... The voters have to get smart and the youth will fix this country.....As a Korean war vet........the rich evade their drafts.........I am appalled when I go to the VA and see our young no legs no arms, theyjoined thearmy cause they could not afford college, thats what they said to me and I believe them. Our youth need to reavaluate their wants,OMG look at that IPHONE, I want it now........
wake up USA our youth are committing suicide. 2 wars, wall street greed, rotten politicians................

Nick Jul 23rd 2010 11:55AM

FYI.................Donny Boy inherithed vast dollars from his DAD who buiilt Trump
(Gotta get that name in all their builds, how vain..........) village. Its in Brooklyn near Conney Island..................... The group of buildings remind me of a getto...........

Ray Jul 23rd 2010 12:40PM

The airport is more important to millions of people

chaunceyoj Jul 23rd 2010 2:23PM

Trump is knew about this flight path for many years, I am sure when he bought the place.. He flys his private jet into PBI and probably uses the same flight pattern he is complaining about. Mrs Post lived there for years and heard the drone of slower and larger piston planes. Older mansions in Palm Beach are not being hurt by airplane noise, it is the Florida climate, hurricanes, the sea air and other things that cause damage and require that the homes be properly maintained.He is wasting the time of PB County and just creating another flap as he has done by flying a flag that far exceeds the taste and beauty of Mar a Largo.

peterljacobsen Jul 23rd 2010 2:25PM

There are always two sides of the coin. This country use to be the land of oppertunity and still is! So why spend your life mocking the ones who made it rather than standing up and make it yourself. Jealousy, Cry babies and unnecessary spending, will bring this country nowhere!

Education is paramouth