Former President Donald Trump greets supporters and sign autographs during the final round of the Bedminster Invitational LIV Golf tournament at his golf course in Bedminster, N.J., Aug. 13, 2023. (Photo: AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Months after his unprecedented hush money conviction, Donald Trump's businesses in New Jersey are having their liquor licenses reassessed in light of a law banning criminals from selling alcohol.
On Friday, Forbes reported that the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control decided against renewing Trump's liquor licenses at two golf clubs in the state. Located at Bedminster and Colts Neck, the premises were set to have their licenses expire on Sunday. Instead of granting a renewal, authorities have reportedly issued "miscellaneous ad interim permits" until Trump's final sentencing on July 11, at which time his eligibility will be reassessed.
New Jersey law prohibits liquor licenses for "any person who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude." Trump, who was found guilty on 34 felony counts in May for falsifying business records, still awaits further sentencing in the case that could carry community service, probation or potentially jail time. The Attorney General's office has reportedly set a liquor license hearing for July 19, eight days after his sentencing will be finalized.
Elsewhere, a third Trump-affiliated golf course in Pine Hill, New Jersey has had its liquor license renewed by local authorities, allegedly since it carries a different category of license.
With hearings looming on the horizon, the Trump organization has insisted that its developments are exempt from felony-related liquor bans.
“President Trump is not the holder of any liquor license in New Jersey, and he is not an officer or director of any entity that holds a liquor license in New Jersey — or anywhere in the United States for that matter,” a spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. “These are some of the most iconic properties in the world, and reports like this do nothing but harm the thousands of hard-working Americans who derive their livelihoods from these spectacular assets."
The state of New Jersey appears to disagree. Unlike many Trump-branded developments, for which the former president's name and likeness are licensed to third-party developers, Trump is allegedly the sole owner and operator of the New Jersey courses.
“A review by ABC [Alcohol Beverage Control] indicates that Mr. Trump maintains a direct beneficial interest in the three liquor licenses through the receipt of revenues and profits from them, as the sole beneficiary of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust," the Attorney General's office said per the Associated Press.
