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Trump firm sues NYC over golf course deal

Bernard CondonAAP
Protagonists are teeing off for a protracted legal battle over the Trump Golf Links in the Bronx.
Camera IconProtagonists are teeing off for a protracted legal battle over the Trump Golf Links in the Bronx. Credit: AP

The Trump Organization is suing New York City for cancelling its contract to run a golf course in the Bronx earlier this year, a move it says was politically motivated and should be reversed.

The lawsuit, filed in state court, says nothing in the 566-page contract gave New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio the right to terminate the deal after the then-US president's supporters stormed the US Capitol earlier this year.

The company is demanding it be allowed to continue to run the course, which has dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline, or that the city pay millions of US dollars to buy them out.

"Mayor de Blasio's actions are purely politically motivated, have no legal merit, and are yet another example of the mayor's efforts to advance his own partisan agenda and interfere with free enterprise," the Trump Organization said in a statement.

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The city said Trump was clearly in breach of the contract terms and it will "vigorously defend" its decision.

When De Blasio announced he was kicking Trump off the course in January, he cited Trump's "criminal action" in inciting Capitol rioters, arguing he could fire him "for cause" and not pay him a dime.

The city has also cited a decision by the PGA of America to cancel a tournament that was going to be held at one of Trump's golf courses in New Jersey.

The city said Trump could no longer argue he can attract prestigious tournaments to the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, as is required in the contract.

In its lawsuit, the Trump Organization said the contract does not require it to attract tournaments, only obliging it to maintain a course that is "first-class, tournament quality".

It attached letters from famous golfers including top-ranked players Dustin Johnson and US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau saying the course met that standard.

Under terms of the contract, New York City can terminate its deal with the Trump Organization at any time without cause, but would be obligated to compensate the company for money it invested in building a clubhouse on the course.

Trump's son Eric, who earlier this year lashed out at the NYC decision as a part of "cancel culture", has said the city would have to pay more than $US30 million ($A40 million), a figure cited again in the lawsuit.

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