Fact Check: Trump's business empire, the Trump Organization, has been known to have ties to individuals with suspected cartel connections. In the 1980s and 1990s, Trump's real estate projects, such as Trump Tower in Panama and Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto, had been linked to Russian and Mexican businessmen with rumored cartel ties.

Investigating Claims of Trump's Business Ties to Cartels

Introduction

The claim under scrutiny is that Donald Trump's business empire, particularly the Trump Organization, has historical ties to individuals suspected of connections to drug cartels. Specifically, it is alleged that Trump's real estate projects in the 1980s and 1990s, including the Trump Tower in Panama and the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto, were linked to Russian and Mexican businessmen rumored to have cartel affiliations.

What We Know

1. Trump's Business Ventures in Panama: The Trump Ocean Club in Panama has been associated with various controversies, including allegations of ties to organized crime. Reports indicate that a significant portion of the units sold were to Russian buyers, some of whom were linked to individuals with questionable backgrounds, including a broker with ties to a money launderer for Colombian drug cartels 14.

2. Trump's Engagement with Russian Businessmen: Trump's business dealings in Russia date back to the late 1980s. His attempts to establish a foothold in the Russian real estate market included trademark applications and exploratory trips, but there is limited concrete evidence linking these ventures directly to cartel activities 3.

3. Cartel Designations by the Trump Administration: During his presidency, Trump’s administration designated several Latin American cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations," which indicates a heightened focus on combating drug trafficking but does not directly connect his business dealings to these organizations 58.

4. Controversies Surrounding the Trump Organization: The Trump Organization has faced multiple lawsuits and allegations of mismanagement and unethical business practices, particularly regarding the Trump Ocean Club in Panama. These disputes have often involved claims of financial impropriety and misrepresentation 210.

Analysis

The sources cited provide a mix of information regarding Trump's business dealings and their potential connections to organized crime.

• Source Reliability:

  • NBC News and NPR are generally regarded as credible news organizations with a history of investigative journalism, which lends weight to their reporting on the Trump Ocean Club 12.
  • Reuters is also a reputable source, particularly for its investigative reporting on the broker involved in the Trump-branded project in Panama 4.
  • Wikipedia, while useful for a general overview, can be edited by anyone and should be cross-referenced with more authoritative sources 3.

• Potential Bias:

  • Some sources may have a political bias, particularly those that focus on Trump's presidency and business dealings. For instance, articles from outlets that have been critical of Trump may emphasize negative aspects of his business history without providing a balanced view.

• Methodological Concerns:

  • The claims regarding cartel connections often rely on anecdotal evidence or reports from individuals with vested interests, such as real estate brokers who may have their own reputations at stake. This raises questions about the reliability of the information provided 14.

• Lack of Direct Evidence:

  • While there are numerous reports of questionable associations, direct evidence linking Trump's business dealings to organized crime or cartel activities remains sparse. Most claims are based on circumstantial evidence or the backgrounds of individuals involved in transactions rather than direct involvement by Trump himself.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The investigation into Donald Trump's business ties to drug cartels reveals a complex landscape of allegations and circumstantial evidence. While there are credible reports linking certain individuals associated with Trump's ventures, particularly in Panama, to organized crime, direct evidence connecting Trump himself to cartel activities is lacking. The evidence primarily consists of questionable associations and indirect links rather than definitive proof of wrongdoing.

It is important to note that the claims are often based on anecdotal reports and the backgrounds of individuals involved, which introduces a degree of uncertainty. Additionally, the potential for bias in reporting on Trump's business dealings should be considered when evaluating the information.

Given these nuances, the verdict of "Partially True" reflects the mixed nature of the evidence available. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the limitations of the sources and claims discussed in this article.

Sources

1. A Panama tower carries Trump's name and ties to organized crime - NBC News. Link
2. Panama's Trump Hotel Has More Drama Than Guests, As Owners, Management Feud - NPR. Link
3. Business projects of Donald Trump in Russia - Wikipedia. Link
4. Ivanka Trump and the fugitive from Panama - Reuters. Link
5. Trump administration labels 8 Latin American cartels as 'foreign terrorist organizations' - AP News. Link
6. Trump Threats and Mexico’s Crackdown Hit Mexican Cartel - The New York Times. Link
7. Donald Trump - Wikipedia. Link
8. Exclusive: After Cabinet opposed Mexican cartel policy, Trump forged ahead - Reuters. Link
9. Cartel-plagued Mexican city pins hopes on Trump's anti-drug trafficking pressure - AP News. Link
10. What is Trump’s history with Panama? Threats, money-laundering claims and a hotel battle - The Independent. Link