The Trump Organization is contemplating selling its International Trump Hotel in Washington, Eric Trump told the Wall Street Journal, amid longstanding criticism that hotel serves as an improper source of profit for the President.
A real estate firm has been hired to market the hotel, Eric Trump, who serves as executive vice president for the family business, told the Journal.
“People are objecting to us making so much money on the hotel, and therefore we may be willing to sell,” he told the Journal.
According to the Journal, Trump Organization is hoping to sell the leasing rights for $500 million.
The hotel has prompted scores of ethical and legal questions for the President and his family.
Trump has been embroiled in several lawsuits accusing him violating the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, in part due to the way his business profits from foreign interests allegedly looking to curry favor with him by staying at the hotel. The hotel has been the go-to site for groups, domestic and foreign, to host events as they push agendas within the administration.
Trump has also been accused of blocking the relocation of the FBI headquarters, which is is now located down the street from his hotel, allegedly out of fear a hotel will be replace the headquarters at that the location and serve as competition for his business.