Trump mixes business and politics at hotel opening
WASHINGTON _ Donald Trump's presidential bid often has dipped into a glitzy brand promotion, but perhaps never has the line between business and politics been more blurred than at his opening event Wednesday for his Washington hotel.
Trump's campaign insisted the ribbon-cutting at Trump International Hotel's storied Pennsylvania Avenue address was not a campaign event. Rather, it was a "corporate ceremony" convened in the hotel's gilded "Presidential Ballroom" 13 days before the election, as a record number of Americans are voting early.
"Today's a metaphor for what we can accomplish for this country," Trump said, flanked by his children as campaign supporters and aides stood nearby.
"Right now, just about everything our government touches is broken _ or they break it."
By contrast, his renovation of the stately old post office building, he said, was on time and budget.
_ Tribune Washington Bureau
