Trump to Atlantic City: You’re fired!
The Donald has sued the two Atlantic City casinos that bear his name, demanding they strip his name from the business because they aren’t operating them to the “very high standards” required in the licensing agreement.
Trump’s suit alleges the casinos — the Trump Plaza and the Trump Taj Mahal — are in such “an utter state of disrepair” they’re no longer worthy of his name.
The move comes as Trump is one of three bidders for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
The NFL would likely take a dim view of a bidder having an economic interest in a casino — or having his or her name plastered across its facade.
Trump insiders told The Post last week he would be selling his remaining 9.8 percent stake in the casinos — which were described as “worth nothing” — should his bid for the Bills win the day.
Despite the lawsuit coming in the middle of the bidding process, it had been in the works for some time and the timing is just a coincidence, sources familiar with the suit said Wednesday.
Trump is no longer an AC casino operator. “I’ve been away from Atlantic City for many years,” Trump told the AP, which first reported on the lawsuit. “People think we operate [the company], and we don’t. It’s not us. It’s not me.”
Also bidding for the Bills is Terrence Pegula, who owns the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, and two Toronto sports-team owners fronted by rocker Jon Bon Jovi.
Separately, all three bidders are expected to meet with the family of late Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr. over the next week or so, The Post has learned.
The sit-downs and interviews are aimed at providing the sellers a chance to get to know the bidders and provide them with more detailed financial info.
The first-round bids have been somewhat disappointing, sources close to the auction have said. All three bids, sources added, fell short of $1 billion.
Previously, sources had hinted each one was $1 billion or higher.