Nothing seems to get the liberal media’s attention more than when other liberals try to stick it to the President with a lawsuit, such has when his travel restrictions were challenged in court, and Thursday evening was no different. “President Trump has been hit with another lawsuit over his business empire,” announced anchor Lester Holt during NBC Nightly News, “This time a Washington, D.C. restaurant claims his hotel operation unfairly competes for local customers because of its ties to the President.”
The lawsuit was filed by Collin Pitts and Diane Gross the two owners of a DC wine bar who, according to NBC’s justice correspondent Pete Williams, “say in a company town like Washington where Government is the big market, the new hotel owned by Donald Trump is competing unfairly, taking business away from them.”
But Williams may have exposed their true reason for filing the suit when he reported that: “The two active in liberal causes are suing the President saying the restaurant and his hotel lures away customers because lobbyists and diplomats want to impress the President by patronizing it.”
Williams backed up their assertions but recalling some of those who have been known to favorite the hotel:
Political organizations have rushed to put on events at the hotel, which has sought embassy business. Some cabinet members are living there. Eric Trump dropped by today, promoting a sporting event. And Trump confidant David Bossie was dining in the restaurant. The day before the inauguration, the incoming White House press secretary was touting it.
He also noted that the building in question was owned by the federal government and that Trump’s company (which Williams did not mention was now headed up by Trump’s adult children) was leasing it. “Today’s lawsuit says Mr. Trump is now violating the lease terms that say no government official shall be admitted to any share or part of the lease,” he stated.
“Mr. Trump’s lawyers call the lawsuit a wild publicity stunt lacking legal merit. But it's the latest example of a continuing legal problem,” Williams continued, seeming to almost write off the President’s claim, “His worldwide business operations have already led to claims that he's violating a ban on accepting foreign gifts.”
But there were many questions that Williams’s report left unanswered, particularly those surrounding the claims made by the bar owners. Questions like: Were their claims of damages true? Were there other factors that could account for their purported drop in business? Was their suit filed because of political motives?
In wrapping up his report, Williams explained the two’s rather peculiar demands for Trump and the property: “The owners of the restaurant aren’t asking for any money in the lawsuit. They want the court to order the President to divest himself from any ownership of the Trump hotel.” Demands that were quite appealing to those looking to knock the administration.
Transcript below:
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NBC Nightly News
March 9, 2017
7:06:35 PM EasternLESTER HOLT: Meanwhile, President Trump has been hit with another lawsuit over his business empire. This time a Washington, D.C. restaurant claims his hotel operation unfairly competes for local customers because of its ties to the President. Our justice correspondent Pete Williams has details.
[Cuts to video]
PETE WILLIAMS: Collin Pitts and Diane Gross say in a company town like Washington where Government is the big market, the new hotel owned by Donald Trump is competing unfairly taking business away from them.
DIANE GROSS: There's been a decrease in the number of events and… that we've had at the restaurant.
WILLIAMS: The two active in liberal causes are suing the President saying the restaurant and his hotel lures away customers because lobbyists and diplomats want to impress the President by patronizing it.
COLLIN PITTS: This is about access to him. Access to curry favor with him and his administration. And we think that’s unfair.
WILLIAMS: Political organizations have rushed to put on events at the hotel, which has sought embassy business. Some cabinet members are living there. Eric Trump dropped by today, promoting a sporting event. And Trump confidant David Bossie was dining in the restaurant. The day before the inauguration, the incoming White House press secretary was touting it.
SEAN SPICER: I encourage you to go there, if you haven't been by.
WILLIAMS: The hotel building is owned by the federal government and leased by Trump's company. Today’s lawsuit says Mr. Trump is now violating the lease terms that say no government official shall be admitted to any share or part of the lease.
Mr. Trump’s lawyers call the lawsuit a wild publicity stunt lacking legal merit. But it's the latest example of a continuing legal problem. His worldwide business operations have already led to claims that he's violating a ban on accepting foreign gifts.
[Cuts back to live]
The owners of the restaurant aren’t asking for any money in the lawsuit. They want the court to order the President to divest himself from any ownership of the Trump hotel. Pete Williams, NBC News, Washington.
