For decades, investigative journalists and legal experts have documented numerous connections between Trump’s mob connections, questionable business ventures, and individuals or entities associated with organized crime. These relationships, whether direct or indirect, provide a lens to evaluate how his past patterns of behavior influence his current leadership style and the people he chooses to surround himself with in his administration—a dynamic that is especially critical as many of his cabinet appointments face scrutiny due to their own questionable backgrounds.
Early Years: Connections in New York Real Estate and Construction
In the 1970s and 1980s, Trump made his mark as a real estate developer in New York City. To build some of his most notable projects, such as Trump Tower and the Trump Plaza, he allegedly relied on construction companies and suppliers tied to organized crime.
For one instance of Trump’s mob connections, noted in Politico’s article “Just what were Donald Trump’s ties to the mob?” Trump Tower was built using concrete supplied by companies controlled by the Genovese and Gambino crime families. Former mobster Michael Franzese noted,
“The mob controlled all the concrete business in the city of New York,” and while Trump was not “in bed with the mob… he certainly had a deal with us… he didn’t have a choice.”
Additionally, Trump maintained a close relationship with Roy Cohn, a high-profile attorney who represented mafia figures such as Salerno and Castellano. Cohn was not only Trump’s lawyer but also a mentor who reportedly helped Trump navigate New York’s politically and financially fraught development scene. Critics argue that Cohn’s influence helped shield Trump from deeper scrutiny during this period.
In 1973, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Trump and his father, Fred Trump, alleging violations of the Fair Housing Act due to discriminatory rental practices against African American applicants. To defend against these charges, Trump enlisted attorney Cohn, known for his aggressive legal tactics and connections to influential figures, including those in organized crime.
Cohn responded by filing a $100 million countersuit against the government, accusing it of defamation. Although the countersuit was dismissed, Cohn’s combative approach led to a settlement in 1975 that required the Trump organization to adhere to specific guidelines to prevent future discrimination, without admitting guilt. This case exemplifies how Cohn’s legal strategies and influential connections were instrumental in resolving legal challenges that could have otherwise hindered Trump’s business endeavors.
Trump’s Mob Connections in the Casino Industry and Beyond
When Trump expanded into the casino business in Atlantic City in the 1980s, new allegations surfaced about his dealings with organized crime figures.
Casinos were tightly regulated, and Trump underwent background checks to secure his licenses. Despite these checks, concerns were raised about his associations.
One of the most notable allegations involved his work with Robert LiButti, a high-stakes gambler with ties to mob boss John Gotti. LiButti reportedly frequented Trump’s casinos, and records show that Trump Plaza catered to him with expensive perks despite his history of legal issues and mob connections. Trump denied any personal relationship with LiButti, but a 1991 fine imposed on Trump Plaza for violating casino rules suggests otherwise.
Additionally, Trump’s casinos reportedly worked with individuals connected to organized crime families in the distribution of gaming equipment, including slot machines. Though such arrangements were not unusual in the casino industry, they further fueled suspicion about Trump’s willingness to engage with questionable partners.
Beyond Atlantic City, Trump’s connections to figures like Sidney Korshak continued to raise eyebrows. Korshak, a lawyer with deep mob ties in Chicago and Hollywood, was linked to several of Trump’s business dealings. Though Trump has denied any meaningful relationship with Korshak, his involvement in high-profile projects where Korshak played a role has been widely discussed.
Why it Matters: Modern-Day Scrutiny and Trump’s Mob Connections
Allegations of Trump’s mob connections resurfaced during Trump’s first presidential campaign and tenure. Investigative journalists revisited his history, particularly as his presidency brought greater attention to his business empire. Questions arose about how his earlier dealings reflected his approach to governance and ethics.
One of the more recent controversies involves Trump SoHo, a project developed in partnership with Bayrock Group, a company with alleged ties to Russian organized crime. Bayrock’s founder, Tevfik Arif, and other associates were investigated for their financial dealings, though no charges were brought against Trump himself.
Revisiting the history of Trump’s mob connections provides insight into his rise to prominence and the controversies that have followed him. These stories are not just about Trump—they are about the systemic flaws that allow powerful figures to operate with minimal accountability. But, in his second term as president, these past connections carry heightened implications, sparking concerns about how such patterns of behavior shape his leadership and the people he chooses in his administration.
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