Harrop: New York turned its back to Trump long before he left

Trump’s name has literally come down in the Big Apple; it’s no wonder he’s moving to Mar-A-Lago.

By Froma Harrop / syndicated columnist

The (mostly) charming family movie “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” is about a divorced father living alone in his posh Manhattan digs. Unexpectedly, he receives two boxes of penguins, and chaos ensues. But the 2011 film has a not-very-subtle subtheme: the prominence of future President Trump as the quintessential rich and heroic New Yorker.

Popper (Jim Carrey) and the penguins go skating at Central Park’s Wollman Skating Rink — excuse me, the Trump Wollman rink. You see TRUMP in gigantic letters appearing in almost every camera angle and no Wollman.

There’s a scene in the landmark Tavern on the Green, where Popper quips, “You can’t even get a reservation here unless you’re dating The Donald.” No explanation needed about whom “The Donald” refers to or his alleged attraction to fabulous women.

“What is up with this Donald Trump as product placement?” a reviewer for the National Catholic Register asked at the time.

There’s more of that in the backstory. The real-life Tavern had fallen on hard times and was closed. Trump was talking big to New York media about plans to spend $20 million to rebuild the icon and make it “the highest-grossing restaurant on the planet.”

But it was only talk. When the city parks department finally asked potential operators to submit bids, Trump was nowhere to be found.

“Bizarrely, the movie seems to pretend that Trump already has something to do with the place,” the reviewer complained.

This is my roundabout way of noting that Trump can no longer get away with playing big-hearted tycoon on what was his home turf. The Trump name is gone from six of his buildings and the skating facility (again called the Wollman Rink). Their association with the president was turning off the public.

Before the 2016 campaign, New Yorkers didn’t detest Trump as so many do today. They regarded him as a colorful character who aspired to be in the top tier of the city’s superwealthy. Maybe he scammed the little people — for example, tricking them to buy stock in his failing casinos — but hard-hearted sophisticates thought the investors had it coming. They believed in easy money and didn’t do their homework on Trump.

Trump recently moved his official permanent residence from New York to Florida. Saving taxes is the reason often put forward for the move. But another is the reality that Trump has no path for returning to Gotham as anything but a loathed figure.

Just last month, he was roundly booed at a World Series game in Washington, D.C. Perhaps assuming he’d receive a warm MAGA welcome at the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he joined the crowds at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The jeers matched the cheers.

After the presidency, he’d be razzed almost everywhere in the city. Some local magnates might thank him for cutting their taxes, but the middle-class masses would remain angry that he raised theirs by taking away deductions for their high state and local taxes.

Now, life could be palmy at Mar-a-Lago. Trump would find year-round golf, and he’d remain king of his compound. Rich Palm Beachers might invite him over to add buzz to their parties.

But the glittering global stage that is Gotham would no longer be his oyster. Sure, he could visit, but not as a hotshot everyone wants to please. He’d also have a hard time cultivating the name and the image that has been key to The Trump Organization.

So-called Trump Country is the last place he’d want to live. He really likes to surround himself with the superrich. So Florida it is; and obscurity his future. There’s no going home for Donald Trump, certainly not if he thinks home is New York.

Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, March 29

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Schwab: Who was Langerhans? And when’s the ferry to his islets?

The Herald’s resident retired surgeon slices into the anatomy of the etymology of our anatomy.

Comment: Cervial cancer treatable; if you’re screened for it

A screening for cervical cancer can detect cancerous or precancerous cells and direct treatment.

Comment: Framers gave us Goldilocks Constitution; let’s use it

It was meant to be resilient, not perfect, but it has to be used as designed toward workable solutions.

Comment: GOP in Congress isn’t fighting crime; it’s arming it

Budget cuts to the FBI and ATF and other riders have made it easier for criminals to get firearms.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.