Donald Trump Claims Alex Salmond, Scottish Government 'Lured' Him Into Investing In Scotland

PA/The Huffington Post UK  |  Posted: 25/04/2012 16:54 Updated: 25/04/2012 17:09

Donald Trump

Donald Trump has complained he was "lured" into investing in Scotland by two First Ministers.

The US businessman said he was assured by Alex Salmond and Jack McConnell before him that an offshore wind turbine development would not be built near his golf resort on the Aberdeenshire coast.

Both politicians deny they gave assurances.

But Mr Trump said: "What they did is they lured me in. I spent this money and now I might regret it.

"I think other people that want to invest in Scotland are watching me, and they're watching what happened and I think they're going to say, 'We're not going to invest in Scotland'."

Mr Trump made the comments in a dramatic appearance before a Scottish Parliament committee probing the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets.

In a series of exchanges, Mr Trump warned that the drive for wind farms will "destroy" tourism, claimed climate change is not man-made and said Scottish renewable targets are "phoney".

He claimed to be an expert on tourism and opinion polls, and rejected suggestions that he was using opposition to the offshore development as a face-saving exercise to pull out.

Despite being asked to discuss the SNP administration's energy targets, Mr Trump repeatedly focused on his fight to stop an 11-turbine offshore test centre in Aberdeen Bay.

Asked to point to evidence that wind farms will destroy tourism, Mr Trump declared: "I am the evidence."

He added: "Now I've invested tens of millions of pounds, I've completed my site ahead of schedule. I've built something that even my enemies say is the most spectacular.

"After I've invested this tremendous amount of money, all of a sudden this really obnoxious and ugly wind farm appears - which is worse than a wind farm because there is going to be all these different looking windmills.

"It's going to look like Disneyland - except a bad version of Disneyland."

Mr Trump said he "felt betrayed" because he had invested his money because of statements that had been made to him.

He later elaborated on the "assurances" from Mr Salmond, saying he was invited to a dinner in New York where he was "strongly led to believe" there would be no wind farm.

On his own investment, Mr Trump said the money would have been spent in Ireland if he had known turbines could be built one mile from his resort.

"If you remember - and there was a big hoopla - I was going to go and I was going to build in Ireland, because of the fact that the wind farm was going to be built fairly near our course in Scotland," he told the committee.

"It's going to look like Disneyland - except a bad version of Disneyland."

Mr Trump said he "felt betrayed" because he had invested his money because of statements that had been made to him.

He later elaborated on the "assurances" from Mr Salmond, saying he was invited to a dinner in New York where he was "strongly led to believe" there would be no wind farm.

But Mr Salmond, who was in London today, said: "It's stuff and nonsense. There has never been such an assurance."

Widening his complaint to national energy targets, Mr Trump told Holyrood's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee: "If you pursue this goal of these monsters all over Scotland, Scotland will go broke. As sure as you're sitting there, Scotland will go broke."

Following the meeting, the Trump entourage - including son Donald junior - walked from the Parliament into a demonstration of pro and anti wind farm groups.

To chants of "there's only one Donald Trump" and "Trump out", Mr Trump shook hands with supporters as he made his way, flanked by police, to a waiting car.

Donald Trump Faces Holyrood Over Wind Power
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03:12 PM on 05/06/2012
i fail to see how wind mills woul negatively impact a golf course, especially if they are offf shore.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jfoste3
08:31 PM on 04/29/2012
Trump have you not learnt your lesson since childhood that many politicians can never be trusted. They have sold the working class of the US and UK to the fat cats that profit from low paid Chinese workers; perhaps those fans could cause your golfers to go dizzy. Perhaps you could ask that the energy produced by the wind farms could provide your Hotel free energy.
If I were you why not retire and enjoy the good life and stop meddling with Scottish politics, perhaps they are now being led by Mr. Alex Salmond that once Scotland is Independent all of the Scottish people will be given free petrol. Did you not know that politicians are elected when they promise the people freebees and when there is no money to pay for these freebees those that have the money are made to be higher Taxes. Joseph Foster, Author ‘’Seeing Red’’ ‘How America is losing the future’ Available at: http://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Red-Joseph-Foster/dp/1613468121 my blog Stand Up For America! – Seeing Red; http://boblupoli.blogspot.com/
fredgladys
Your Micro-bio is empty, I know, stop nagging.
12:20 AM on 04/26/2012
"He claimed to be an expert on tourism and opinion polls, and rejected suggestions that he was using opposition to the offshore development as a face-saving exercise to pull out."

Trump likes to promote himself as the canniest businessman in the known universe but claims that he was 'lured' into investing. He made a poor decision but now every excuse will do to salvage his claims to be a business genius.
03:09 PM on 05/06/2012
he is smarter and better than you kilt weraing scots, obey him
11:12 PM on 04/25/2012
The trouble is with people like Trump - they seem to think that if they invest in a country they then 'OWN' the show and can call all the tunes. He is not used to be told what to do and not getting his own way. Now he wants to 'take his ball in' and stop everyone's games. Why didn't you try to buy a piece of the USA Trump? They would let you do that on your terms would they? Go and sulk somewhere else Trump.
This comment has been removed.
leewa
Social Liberal, fiscal Conservative, often confuse
10:00 PM on 04/25/2012
This is one tourist that will visit again and again. I commend Scotland for it's pursuit of renewable energy. The beauty of Scotland will bring me back. Trumps golf course, not so much.
this man is an embarassment to Americans wherever he goes.
03:10 PM on 05/06/2012
maybe you could keep him in scotland or maybe he could build a golf course in the falklands
09:46 PM on 04/25/2012
Get stuffed Trump
08:09 PM on 04/25/2012
As for Trump - he should take himself and all his entourage and do what Nellie the Elephant did "Pack his trunk and head for home - trumpety trumpety trump".
08:07 PM on 04/25/2012
Trump off! He is only bothered because the wind turbines are visible from his golf course.
Funny that this idiot has become so concerned for the environment recently. Can't remember him being like that when they dug up sites of special scientific interest for his golf course.
I can't stand this guy.
12:17 PM on 04/28/2012
Well no! The truth is that Trump made a very basic error of business judgement. His idea was to build a great golf course, and to be fair he has, but the whole scheme was to have lots of other things that were all dependent upon that golf course being added to the international golf-circuit. In the event, "The Donald", (His mother came from Lewis, you know), was informed that ALL new golf courses take many years to settle down enough to be included in the World international golf tournament circuit. That is the real reason, "The Donald", has stalled his hotels and other things as they were all dependent upon being part of that golf circuit. He found the turbines a good excuse, though. He must think we Scots button up the back.
12:09 AM on 04/30/2012
Bob, why dont you listen to your boss salmond,He stated in his own words he had planned to speak to J.Hunt, aboutBskyb bid,under the disguise of investment and jobs for Scotland.Tell me bob what extra jobs could murdoch give Scotland, if he got control of Bskyb???????
04:16 PM on 04/30/2012
Bob, It seems like everyone south of the border you disagree with there opinions,Anyone north of the border, who dont agree with you are British/nats,As for salmond,because i dont like what he is trying to do ie. break up the union, It is not a witch hunt or i am anti-Scottish.I think the problem lay with you and the snp, you act like school ground bullies.Rather than keep calling me a lier, answer the questions, instead of ranting on about thing that have not being brought up in comments. Have a nice day.
08:07 PM on 04/25/2012
Aberdeen Council refused to give Trump permission to build that golf-course. But Trump, wouldn't have it. He took his case to the Scottish Parliament who over-ruled Aberdeen. It wasn't Alex Salmond who said yes - it was Parliament. It is exactly the same with the wind-turbines. They have nothing to do with Alex Salmond per se, but again the Scottish Parliament.
Scotland is actually following European guidelines re renewable energy. It's a pity that they have decided that Wind-farms are the answer. Scotland could become self-sufficient in Hydro power if it wanted to.
12:28 PM on 04/28/2012
The fact is that as Salmond is the constituence MSP he, correctly, ruled himself out of all decisions as an interested party. As to wind turbines they are only a part of Scottish energy policy. BTW: The wind Turbine research unit in Methil, Fife, has an up and running system that uses electrlosys to split water and store the Hydrogen component on site as a fuel to both generate power when wind drop below useable levels but also as heating and other fuel. It is already self-sufficient. Hydro is not as simple as many think. There are also different types of schemes. Hydro, sea current, wave motion, tidal flow, biomass wind and even geothermal are all on-going projects. Did you know there are enough old flooded mineworks under Glasgow as to provide enough geothermal heat and power for all Gglasgow?
02:03 PM on 04/28/2012
Bob, why do they call you cut and paste,you attitude and answers to everyone seem the same.Have you been told by the snp, what to right????
07:11 PM on 04/25/2012
Do you Huff people not proof read what you write?
08:55 PM on 04/25/2012
Nope - we leave it for fusspots like you to read and correct
06:31 PM on 04/25/2012
so poor trump thinks hes been screwed by a politicain Everybody in this country gets screwed by politicians .Its why we vote every five years same basic stance just being screwed by some one else. And we have no say in what happens. Why ? Because all politicians lie.
majdf18148
I have nothing to declare but my curiosity
06:07 PM on 04/25/2012
Well, well, well, the very astute and canny Mr Trump claims the very canny Mr Salmond has done the dirty on him. I do remember the furore over the "should he be allowed to build his golf complex or not" and I gather he DID have Ireland lined up as a fallback position. Me? I would be reluctant to trust either of the chief protagonists and they are both to blame for doing business with each other when both must have known not to trust the other. Trump is very influential and he won't let this rest. Salmond has made enough enemies already and needs to start being seen as believable and trustworthy. Some hope!
06:14 PM on 04/25/2012
Alex Salmond is believable and trustworthy,thats why we have no prescription charges,no college fees and the council tax frozen since he came to power among other things,too many to mention.
And every politician has enemies,it goes with the job
majdf18148
I have nothing to declare but my curiosity
06:21 PM on 04/25/2012
I can't be bothered to debate the issue of Salmond's traits as a politician or indeed otherwise because we would have entirely different opinions on him, that is clear.. Suffice it to say you are right that every politician has enemies and allow me to thank you for your response.
06:55 PM on 04/25/2012
Salmond is a man who lies every time he opens his mouth;it is no surprise that he has reneighed on promises made to Trump.He will lead Scotland on the road to becoming a non-descipt nation if we let him.Why don`t you mention the highest unemployment rate in the UK,the biggest obesity problem,highest welfare benefits figures,drug and drink figures etc and the fact that companies will turn their backs on an independent Scotland.Salmond might think that he has put one over on Trump but when you treat investors like that,how can you expect firms to invest in Scotland ? Someone described him as a"Caledonian Hitler " - that`s right on the money in my book.
06:01 PM on 04/25/2012
Asked to point to evidence that wind farms will destroy tourism, Mr Trump declared: "I am the evidence." What a prat ,he's a greedy businessman not a tourist,
If there was no profit for him he would not invest,who is he trying to kid.
As for Scotland being broke,It will be as long as the revenue from whiskey,oil,electricity and water ( to name a few) goes to Westminster
With or without wind farms Scotland is beautiful
01:25 PM on 04/28/2012
Fact show,"The Donald", is wrong. Last week's survey showed over 70% of Scots back turbines. Tourists numbers were up on last year as were visitors at wind farm information centres.
08:46 PM on 04/28/2012
70% -interesting,I can`t remember anyone asking me if I supported them.Sounds like the figures might have been produced by the SNP thinktank.Just like when they get there own members to vote in independence census en bloc or when they mislead the Scottish Parliament about outside companies investing in Scotland
05:55 PM on 04/25/2012
Canny Scots!!!!
12:47 PM on 04/28/2012
Yes! Dear! We Are. That's why we know Trump made a boo! boo! of basic business decision. He banked upon the international golf body having his great golf course, (and it is great), on the international golf tournament circuit. Hence the hotels, casinos. etc. However, the golf authorities informed him that all golf courses take many years to settle down enough to become part of the international tour circuit. Trump then stopped his scheme and took an instant hatered against wind power that he supported just a year before. He also though the Scots were not canny, (BTW: canny is NOT defined as mean. Look it up in a dictionary.
01:06 PM on 04/28/2012
Thanks for the background info! But I don't get where canny insinuates the Scots as being mean? Shrewd in business - they've got the rich Trump to invest first, got one over on him 'kind of' - he looks daft!!!! Obviously he's not as astute as he thinks he is!
02:07 PM on 04/28/2012
Now you've got me wondering why you should think it meaning mean?!!! Why it should cross your mind, at all?

I don't know if he totally forced this golf course on you? Scotland has such beautiful picturesque scenery & many turbines are ugly when they are all together. But it's up to the Scots where they place them. The only thing is, if other people are eyeing potential investment business in Scotland, they'll be watching the outcome!!! It might be seen as the Scots are bargaining in exchange for more money / investment ~ if the turbines are then moved elsewhere. If not difficult to deal with.

If not - Trump - should fire himself! - with all the loose ends.

Please don't slate me - I'm a quarter Scottish, I wish Scotland all the best!