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Then-President Donald Trump stands at a lectern displaying the presidential seal at the opening ceremony of the New York City 100th annual Veterans Day Parade in 2019.
Corbis via Getty Images
A golf marker displaying the presidential seal appears to be in use at a Bronx course operated by the Trump Organization, according to a photo posted to Instagram on Saturday.
Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point is at least the second Trump property that appears to be using the presidential seal on tee markers, possibly violating a federal law that that bars exhibiting the seal in a way that could convey the impression of government approval or sponsorship. Similarly, it’s illegal to manufacture a likeness of the seal without government authorization. While the punishment can be up to six months in prison, prosecutors have not prioritized going after people who misuse the seal.
Other Instagram posts also appear to show markers displaying the presidential seal in use at one of Trump’s New Jersey golf courses, as Forbes previously reported.
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The Trump Organization has not responded to inquiries.
The markers that appear to have popped up at Trump properties over the past few months resemble a batch that “Trump, Inc.,” a podcast from ProPublica and WNYC, uncovered in 2018. Those markers were removed quickly after that report was published.
At the time, the Trump Organization blamed the incident on diehard supporters. “The plaques were presented to the club by a small group of members, who are incredible fans of the president, in honor of Presidents’ Day weekend,” the business said in a 2018 statement to the podcast. “They were temporary and have since been removed.”
The former president’s company has a 20-year contract to operate Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point on behalf of the City of New York. For now. The deal is set to end in 2032, but Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) has been looking for an out after Trump instigated a riot at the Capitol on January 6. In mid-October, the city’s Franchise and Concession Review Committee voted to replace the Trumps with an Atlanta-based company effective November 15, reported The City. The Trump Organization is contesting its ouster in court.
As of Tuesday, however, the club is still operating with the Trump name and its typical operating hours, according to someone answering calls at the front desk. And, apparently, Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point is also operating with the presidential seal on display.
The presidential seal is in use as a tee marker at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, according to a post on Instagram.
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I took an unusual route to get here. In a past life, I worked as a travel and food writer, which is how I got the assignment in 2016 to cover the grand opening of the
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I took an unusual route to get here. In a past life, I worked as a travel and food writer, which is how I got the assignment in 2016 to cover the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., just a couple miles from my home. When Trump won the election and refused to divest his business, I stayed on the story, starting a newsletter called 1100 Pennsylvania (named after the hotel’s address) and contributed to Vanity Fair, Politico and NBC News. I’m still interested in Trump, but I’ve broadened my focus to follow the money connected to other politicians as well—both Republicans and Democrats.