In a report that might indicate President Donald Trump’s prior business ambitions in the Middle East, the Associated Press disclosed that the Trump organization owns casino trademark rights in Jordan.
The trademarks were acquired before Trump ran for president, but raise questions considering that all gambling is illegal in Jordan.
The Trump Organization would have to reapply for the trademarks to keep them active while Trump is in the White House, which could raise ethical concerns. Jordan is a key ally of the U.S. in the Middle East.
The Trump Organization told the Associated Press that its “decision to enforce its intellectual property rights is nothing new,” while declining to discuss whether it knew how controversial gambling was in the kingdom.
Jordanian officials confirmed that the trademarks exist to the wire service, but also said that casino gambling isn’t likely to come to Jordan.
“That does not give any right to the company to practice any activities unless it is formally registered as a company in Jordan and licensed to practice,” government spokesman Mohammed Momani wrote in an email to the AP. “Needless to say, gambling is illegal in Jordan, so if a company applies for this, it will be disapproved.”
The report quoted Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, saying the trademarks raise new questions about the current president’s international business dealings. Painter is part of a lawsuit alleging Trump is violating the U.S. Constitution by allowing his business to accept payments from foreign governments
“We don’t want foreign governments in a position to pay off our politicians with special treatment,” Painter told the AP.
Prior to running for president, Trump sought to license his name for construction projects throughout the Middle East. He received trademark rights in Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, the reports said.
Trump has not sold his financial interest since taking office and has instead turned managerial control of the Trump Organization to his two sons. Under his son’s leadership, the Trump Organization has opened a golf course in Dubai.
According to the report, Trump applied for four trademarks with Jordan’s Industry, Trade and Supply Ministry in June 2008 which were approved in 2009. Those trademarks, retained by an organization under Trump called DTTM Operations LLC, include holding his name for developing commercial, residential and hotel property, as well as running restaurants, bars, cafes or a golf course. The trademarks expire in February 2019.
