Trump Organization Cuts Back Hotel Operations, Closes Golf Courses Due To Coronavirus

The Trump Organization has cut operations at its hotels and closed some golf courses and restaurants, laying off workers as the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll.

The New York Times reported Friday President Trump’s family business was keeping some properties open and pushing them on social media.

Staff has been cut from hotels in New York and Washington, and reservations have been suspended on a Trump property that overlooks the Las Vegas Strip. The Times said golf courses in Los Angeles and Miami were closed as was Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club.

The company has more than a dozen golf clubs. It partially owns or operates hotels in Chicago, Hawaii, Las Vegas, New York, Vancouver and Washington.

Eric Trump, who manages the family business, told the Times the company is trying to limit shutdowns and keep employees on the job.

Hotels and resorts across the country have seen business drop off drastically as COVID-19 has taken hold with people being asked to minimize travel if not stay home altogether. The governors of both California and Illinois have asked their residents to shelter in place, venturing out for only essential needs.

The borders with Mexico and Canada were to close Saturday to everything except essential travel to keep goods and commerce flowing.

Trump has said he expects the economy to recover quickly after the crisis has passed but prominent economists are not so sure. Economist Robert Shiller said the virus has shaken consumer confidence and it may be a while before the fear passes. And Joseph Stiglitz said he doubts stimulus measures taken by Congress will be adequate.

Congress already has approved $112 billion in emergency relief and is working on a more than $1 trillion package that could put as much as $1,200 in the hands of taxpayers to help pay for food and rent.