NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump‘s offer to buy an investor’s stake where a mosque is planned near ground zero is falling flat.
Wolodymyr Starosolsky is a lawyer for the investor in the real estate partnership that controls the site. He says Trump’s offer is “just a cheap attempt to get publicity and get in the limelight.”
In a letter released Thursday by Trump’s publicist, Trump told Hisham Elzanaty he would buy his stake in the lower Manhattan building for 25 percent more than whatever he paid.
Trump says he’s making the offer not because he thinks the location is spectacular, but because it would end “a very serious, inflammatory, and highly divisive situation.”
Critics say building a mosque so close to where Islamic extremists brought down the World Trade Center would be an insult.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is offering to buy out one of the major investors in the real estate partnership that controls the site near ground zero where a Muslim group wants to build a 13-story Islamic center and mosque.
In a letter released Thursday by Trump’s publicist, the real estate investor told Hisham Elzanaty that he would buy his stake in the lower Manhattan building for 25 percent more than whatever he paid.
“I am making this offer as a resident of New York and citizen of the United States, not because I think the location is a spectacular one (because it is not), but because it will end a very serious, inflammatory, and highly divisive situation that is destined, in my opinion, to only get worse,” the letter said.
Trump also attached a condition to his offer: He said that as part of the deal, the backers of the mosque project would need to promise that any new mosque they constructed would be at least five blocks farther away from the World Trade Center site.
The current planned location is just two blocks north of the site. Opponents argue it’s insensitive to families and memories of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to build a mosque so close to where Islamic extremists flew planes into the World Trade Center and killed nearly 2,800 people, while proponents support the project as a reflection of religious freedom and diversity.
It’s unclear how much control Elzanaty has over the property, which is owned by an eight-member investment group led by Soho Properties.
A spokesman for Soho Properties general manager Sharif El-Gamal and his nonprofit group, Park51, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Earlier in the day, the organization sent a statement to The Associated Press affirming that Soho Properties controlled the real estate and that Elzanaty was one of several investors.
El-Gamal and other people associated with the Islamic center have refused to detail the ownership structure of the real estate partnership that holds the site.
Elzanaty’s lawyer did not immediately return a phone message Thursday. But in a pair of interviews with the AP this week, Elzanaty said he had invested in the site with an intention of making a profit and was willing to sell some of it for private development. He also said he supported building a mosque on at least part of the property.
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (46)
WTH is up with our government
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:55amThe guy said they would sell if someone came up with the money…???…idk…looks more & more like they are planning this to be their vctory shrne to me, like most Americans thought to begin with.And I REALLY didn‘t appreciate the Imama’s treats to the country…now it’s allow it or dye. If we allow them to intimidate us, we are toast….and did the preacher from Fla really think that the Imam would be honest? Now that most of our troops are coming home…..idk…it’s getting really freaky with what our gov is allowing. Thanks Mr. Trump for trying to defuse this, you are a true American in my eyes, but they will not negotiate…ever. They will just keep coming after more. Look at all the other countries, we need to take more notice of their tactics. If there are “good ones” vs “bad ones” why don’t the good go after THEIR OWN bad ones so that they will not be “discriminated” against? Why do they want everybody else to do this for them? To give them an excuse for “being insulting”? I don’t know about you guys, but I am insulted….smoke & mirrors…why is our President forsaking us?
Report Post »dearbornite
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:42amdoesn’t matter if it was publicity or not! at least he did SOMETHING! your president is selling you out. and it’s not about religious freedom, it doesn’t say in the Constitution to allow a building be built against the will of the people near catastrophic site–and all irrelivant. I read, and believe, whomever at the power company that signed the ”long term lease” with imam, has no right nor power to do so–it is not ”his” building to lease. SO what’s the story on this? The half of the block they want to build on is owned by the state of New York and bloomberg’s all for it ey? Hmmm, something ain’t kosher.
Report Post »kenoshax
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:57pmmr. trump, you are ceo to america, thanks for the effort. by offering to purchase the property you accomplished two things, if they take you up on your offer, it ends the controversy, good for all of us, if they pass on your offer, their true intensions come to the for front. at least now we know.
Report Post »ann123
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:32pmdon’t you people know this has nothing to with money or really even the moque . they are testing how we react and then in the next few weeks something else will happen and they will push for more . and before we know it we will be fighting them in our own streets . like other nations trying to fight them back .
Report Post »CaliforniaConservative
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:11pmDonald, all I can say is “Bless you heart!”. You just went way up in my estimation. Thank you!
Report Post »Hobnob
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:09pmIf there‘s anything worst than our politicians it’s these Quran following muslims. If Elzanaty intention was to make a profit, there it was. Truth to his word was before him. Because they’re untruthful people all we can do is keep calling them out. Mr Trumps next offer will be less.
Report Post »The Bees
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:42pmSure this may have been a PR move. But let me point out that there are are quite a few Multi-Million & Billionaires that could have made that offer and didn’t.
Donald has always been consistent with his belief in NYC Real Estate. And say what you will, the Donald is one guy who does put his money where his mouth is.
More than I can say for Bloomberg and his ilk!
You earned an – atta boy in my book Mr. Trump.
Report Post »Chevy
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 8:46pmI know how to stop all this BS right now. Lets take a page from another countrys book for a change…. hmm now who … oh I know Lets do what Sweden does. This might have changed in 10 years but the last time I checked Sweden did not allow first generation immigrants to even own land. Now hows that for a socialist country lol Make em have something invested emotionally before we let them invest in our real estate.
Report Post »ThymeBlazer
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 8:29pmTrump seems to be sincere. If they turn down his generous offer, it will be just another example of intolerance. It will prove what many Americans already believe to be true: Muslims insist on having it their way, they want to gain the upper hand no matter what, and they seek to establish Sharia Law as THE law over everyone.
Report Post »conservativeme
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 8:29pmFolks – when are people in this country going to wise up! It’s NOT about the mosque/activity center. It’s about conquest. Muslims have built mosques at the sight of every conquest. There is a mosque where the temple once stood in Jerusalem and one in Spain where a cathedral once stood. Now, they want one at the site of their American conquest. Wise up people. Islam cannot be reasoned with. We must hold our ground. Again, it’s not about the facility. It’s about the mark of conquest!
Report Post »poppopschell
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:38pmYou know your history about Islamic victories. Past acts usually let one know what today’s motivation really is. It’s an “in your face” move.
Report Post »TwoMinuteMan
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 8:02pmOf course the offer was rejected. If the Imam would have taken it and moved the mosque Militant islamists would attack america. He actually said this.
Looks like it’s time to put the fighters in the ring instead of talking about it.
Report Post »cameron.harper
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:57pmI always liked trump….
Report Post »nelsonknew
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:43pmFurther proof that this has NOTHING to do with promoting peace and EVERYTHING to do with marking the sight of an Islamic attack!
Report Post »faires
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:19pmIts a sad day, when the Constitutional Freedoms we love & cherish, are turned, and used against us!
Something to ponder, and a question I’ve asked myself, Will this Mosque/Community Center, be a Victory Garden for Islam, or a Memorial for those who died in 9/11!
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
Report Post »Ronald Reagan
shotgun
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:13pmHURRAY for TRUMP!!! Atleast he is doing something!!!!!! Very few people do.
Report Post »The_Truth
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:04pmI’m sure Trump would figure out a way to depreciate the land to help offset his NYC income taxes.
Report Post »GeneralC_USA
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:02pmTrump gets a thumbs up for this one. But this was never about money but it is about peeing on America.
Report Post »daverag
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:58pmFunny, Elzanaty said he would gladly get rid of it yesterday: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ap-exclusive-backers-of-nyc-mosque-appear-divided/
Elzanaty said his real estate partnership, which paid $4.8 million for half the site last year, has already received offers three times that much to sell that parcel.
“Develop it, raze it, sell it,” he said. “If someone wants to give me 18 or 20 million dollars today, it’s all theirs.”
Report Post »poppopschell
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:35pmTrump was simply calling their BLUFF, showing that these Muslims aren’t up to any reasoanble compromise. Brilliant move bu Trump to show up their hypocrisy.
Report Post »GlennBeckIsADemagogue
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:42pmI foresee a new episode of “The Apprentice” with Imam Rauf, Terry Jones, Pamella Geller, and Sarah Palin. The Donald has to fire all them on the first show.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:58pmThe apprentice is currently in the White House. It is nice to see him getting experience at our expense.
Report Post »4my2boys
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:41pmTrump,
Keep up the good work!!!
Report Post »Thug_N-Wordz_Luv_Beck31558
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:35pmWhat a noble move, didn’t expect it from a guy like Trump, but noble!! I’m not really concerned with his motivation for doing it. That isn’t important to me. What’s important is that this plan go through.
Report Post »Shout out to the Donald!
kralspaces
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:32pmThat is the easy way out. I’m glad the developers rejected the offer. I like Trump, but his motive was to make a killing on that piece of real estate (no pun intended).
Report Post »capnjack
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:28pmI suggest you take Mr. Trumps offer, you will never build that mosque in it’s present location.
Report Post »mac6315
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:13pmAdd your comments
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:26pmI have a lot more respect for Donald Trump now. Maybe he should run for mayor for NY?
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:45pmDonald would be a fine politician . On another note the reason for refuting the offer could be the most pathetic statement to come out of the mosque people’s mouths to date .
Report Post »greg755
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:25pmO come on Donald. What a PR move.. He knows there is no way in hell they would take him up on that… But whit if they do and Make 25% on their investment and then buy another building…
Report Post »Gee Don did you think this through????
Thug_N-Wordz_Luv_Beck31558
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:38pm@Greg755 Did you read the whole post. Obviously not, so here you go………………………….
Report Post »“Trump also attached a condition to his offer: He said that as part of the deal, the backers of the mosque project would need to promise that any new mosque they constructed would be at least five blocks farther away from the World Trade Center site.”
suran
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 6:53pmGee, Greg755, did you read it through?
Report Post »greg755
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 8:03pmWow a hole five blocks… #1 It shouldn’t be anywhere near ground zero. And just what would Don do if they broke the 5 block “Promise”?… Every time I go down there the hairs still stand up on the back of my neck, it is more than a piece of real estate, it is a graveyard /final resting place for many many people, whose bodies were basically vaporized.
Report Post »#2 If he was serious and really wanted to “put his money where his mouth is” Instead of giving them 25 million (25% profit on a 100 million dollar project), why didn’t he just file a lawsuit against them and use that 25 million to keep them tied up forever???
Rosie O’Donnell probably offered them 35% to build it just to piss Trump off…
I like Trump but if you guys think this is anything more than a PR stunt I believe you are fooling yourselves. This is just what he wants, everybody talking about him and saying “Trump for Mayor”
iatoala
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:28pmTrump farts in public and its a PR move he cant do anything with out some one watching. I say way to go Donald! offer to shave your head and they might take the deal.
Report Post »tollesboroteaparty
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:50pmSounds to me like Mr. Starosolsky is the one who wants to be in the limelight.
Report Post »Progress-shun
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 11:37pmGreg 755…It is a perfect investment. If they sell the building, or at least part of it, to Donald and he keeps the mosque from being built..heck, he is a hero!
Report Post »He could sell hotdogs and slushies from the building and it would turn a profit. I would take a trip to New York for the specific purpose of buying something from whatever business he puts in there. I’m certain that many Americans would do the same. I would do whatever possible to help Donald make a profit from his investment, so buy it and we will come. Just tell us how many hotdogs we each need to buy..and we will make a profit happen you can be certain of that. NO SHAME IN AMERICA!!!!