Latest news with #TrumpInternationalHotel&Tower
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Diddy Employee Reveals The Notorious B.I.G.-Inspired Alias He Used To Book Hotels
'Freak-offs' have been a major focal point in the Diddy sex trafficking trial, especially the initial alleged details of what hotel rooms would be stocked with and look like afterward. His former employee recently testified about his experience booking lodging for the 55-year-old artist, and how the fake name he used was connected to The Notorious B.I.G. George Kaplan, Diddy's former assistant, told the jury on Wednesday (May 21) that he would often be told by Puff or Kristina Khorram, his chief of staff, to arrange stays for the controversial mogul on short notice. The former REVOLT chairman's preferred locations were allegedly in New York, Miami, or Los Angeles; namely, NY's Trump International Hotel & Tower or LA's The InterContinental, where he infamously assaulted Cassie in 2016. Diddy, like many celebrities, would use an alias given the alleged activity happening in the rooms and his general celebrity status. Kaplan revealed that his go-to fake name was 'Frank Black,' a play on the late Biggie's moniker 'Frank White.' The Bad Boy co-founder spent the years following Big's death constantly paying homage to him and divulging their relationship, so it is no surprise that he was top of mind in this regard. George Kaplan was also given specific instructions on setting up the hotel rooms; his testimony aligned with details of the lawsuits against Diddy. He would bring a bag with him full of 'clothes, a speaker, candles, liquor, baby oil and Astroglide,' and unpack it before the Press Play artist arrived. Kaplan revealed that he 'often' purchased these items with a corporate credit card, adding that he believed Diddy began to have him around more often when he gained more trust in him. Kaplan also revealed that he would pick up additional items for the mogul at his request, which included more clothing, food, and 'sometimes drugs.' The 'Last Night' artist apparently had a toiletries bag that was stocked with ketamine and Advil. Kaplan's account of what the rooms looked like when he went to clean them after Puff was finished was also accurate to the details of the lawsuits. He claimed that he would see empty bottles of Gatorade, alcohol, and baby oil. Prosecutors were interested in why Kaplan did the cleaning and not hotel staff, to which he replied, 'It was implied — protecting him and protecting his public image were really important.' Over the last few weeks, the jury has heard from Cassie regarding her experiences in the 'freak-offs,' sex workers, and now an assistant who helped put them together. One can only imagine what will be brought to light next. More from Clinical Psychologist Testifies During Diddy Trial, Speaks On Abuser-Victim Dynamic Meek Mill Reveals The "Craziest" Experience He's Had While At A Diddy Party Sex Worker Claims Diddy Dressed Like A Muslim Woman To Conceal Identity During "Freak-Off"
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Diddy Employee Reveals the Alias He Used for Hotel Rooms — and It Had to Do with Biggie
Another of Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistants testified on the eighth day of the music mogul's federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial Combs' ex-girlfriend, Casandra Cassie Ventura, testified for four days last week about how he physically abused her and forced her to perform sex acts with male escorts Combs pleaded not guilty to all chargesArranging trips for Sean 'Diddy' Combs was a massive undertaking, as the rap mogul had a long list of must-haves for his hotel stays, a former assistant testified on Wed., May 21. George Kaplan said he would often be given just a few hours' notice from Combs or his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, to ready hotel rooms in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Combs or Khorram would give Kaplan exacting instructions in how to set up the hotel rooms, Kaplan told jurors in Manhattan federal court on the eighth day of Combs' high-profile trial. Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Seen Kicking Cassie After Throwing Her to Ground in 2016 Hotel Surveillance Video Two of the tycoon's preferred places to stay were The InterContinental in Los Angeles — where Combs' beating of Casandra "Cassie" Ventura in an elevator bank was captured on surveillance video — and Trump International Hotel & Tower in New York City, Kaplan told jurors. To protect Combs from fans and prying eyes, hotel rooms would often be booked under the name "Frank Black," Kaplan testified. The alias was a play on "Frank White," a nickname for the late rapper Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls — one of the first artists Combs signed to his Bad Boy Records label. Before Combs arrived at a given hotel room or suite, 'There was a bag. I unpacked it. Clothes, a speaker, a candle, Astroglide, baby oil, liquor," Kaplan testified. Related: What Feds Found in Diddy's Closet: Astroglide, Baby Oil… and a Rubber Duck? When asked who purchased those items, he responded, 'Often me,' with a corporate card, Kaplan testified. He said 'as he grew to trust me more, he had me around more.' Combs would frequently call Kaplan from the hotel room asking him to bring food, clothes and 'sometimes drugs," he said. 'I did it," he testified. Kaplan said Combs also kept a toiletry bag stocked with Advil and ketamine. 'I picked up drugs for him' he testified. Asked if he cleaned the rooms, Kaplan said on the stand, 'Yes. Bottles of baby oil, Gatorade. Once brown crystalized powder on the counter of the bathroom sink.' When prosecutors questioned why he, not hotel staff, did the cleaning, Kaplan replied, 'It was implied — protect his public image. I was keen on doing that.' Kaplan was the latest in a string of witnesses in Combs' trial where he is facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs pleaded not guilty to all could face up to life in prison if he is convicted on all counts. Since his arrest, he has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to Read the original article on People
Business Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Trump Organization eyes Trump Tower in Ho Chi Minh City, government document says
[HO CHI MINH CITY] Executives at Trump Organization, a privately owned business of US President Donald Trump, are going to visit Ho Chi Minh City to survey potential sites for a Trump Tower project, according to a Vietnamese government document seen by The Business Times. The delegation led by executive vice-president Eric Trump – President Trump's third eldest child – will arrive on Thursday (May 22), with plans to meet the city leadership at a dinner at a central hotel in the city. They are going to inspect sites at Thu Thiem, a peninsula that lies across the Saigon River from downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The city authority has recently earmarked vacant land parcels in this area to woo multibillion-dollar investments for the development of the country's new international financial centre. This comes amid the ongoing trade negotiations between Washington and Hanoi as the latter has sought to avoid a reciprocal tariff of 46 per cent – one of Asia's highest rates – imposed by the Trump administration and currently on hold until early July. Trump Organization is operating or licensing its name to dozens of Trump-branded properties around the world. These projects often encompass a mix of luxury residential, commercial, and hospitality developments. For example, The Trump International Hotel & Tower in Dubai, announced in late April under a licensing deal with UAE-based developer Dar Global, is an 80-storey skyscraper scheduled for completion in 2031. It is planned to feature luxury residences starting at US$1 million, a five-star hotel and a private members' club called the Trump. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up US$1.5b golf complex approved Another executive group led by Charles James Boyd Bowman, general director of the Trump Organization's Vietnam project, is set to visit Ho Chi Minh City on Monday (May 19), the internal document says. Earlier in March, Bowman met Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who urged the Trump Organization to consider Vietnam as a business base and broaden its investments into other localities, particularly in sectors aligned with Vietnam's priorities. Last Friday, state newspaper Tuoi Tre reported that the US$1.5 billion project co-developed by Trump Organization and Vietnam's real estate developer Kinhbac City had received approval from the Vietnamese government. The project, spanning 990 hectares of land in Hung Yen province near Hanoi, involves developments of golf courses, hotels, resorts, and a modern residential complex. Reuters reported in March that it would break ground in May, with a second golf and hotel project expected to be announced this year. Both are planned to be operational by mid-2027. Besides Vietnam, Trump Organization has partnered to develop golf resorts in Indonesia as its first venture into South-east Asia since 2014. South-east Asia is home to more than 1,000 operational 18-hole golf courses, with Thailand leading the pack with 306 courses, based on data compiled by consulting firm Asia Golf Journey. Among them, Vietnam and Indonesia currently have more than 80 and 180 courses, respectively.
Gulf Insider
17-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Trump Tower Dubai Sales Are An Early Hit - Investors Eye '30% Resale Potential'
OK, the Trump Tower launch for Abu Dhabi didn't happen during the US President's visit this week – but there was a lot of action happening in Dubai. Buyer interest in the apartments at the recently launched Trump International Hotel & Tower in Downtown Dubai have been rated as 'rock solid' by estate agents, with a lot of attention coming from potential investors in the region and overseas. 'All available market indicators suggest a robust response,' said Farooq Syed, CEO of Springfield Properties. 'The demand signals a healthy absorption early into the sales launch of Trump Tower Dubai. What it also shows in an alignment with demand for branded, high-end real estate in Dubai.' 'The resale potential gain for Trump Tower units is forecasted at approximately 30%.' That's exactly what a number of investors would be thinking about, with the Trump Tower Dubai looking at completion in 2031. Market sources were saying that President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE over the week was the 'best promotion' the two Trump Towers in Jeddah and Dubai could have got. Multi-billion dollar deals in technology, defense and aircraft acquisitions flowed, with the visit generating unprecedented levels of global attention. 'Trump Tower Dubai offers a compelling proposition for buyers seeking lifestyle differentiation and long-term value': Farooq Syed of Springfield Properties 'More Trump-branded real estate in the Gulf states will happen in no time,' said an industry source. 'Only question is how soon an Abu Dhabi launch will happen.' 'Trump Towers Dubai and Jeddah got the best spotlight ever – President Trump's visit to the Gulf' : Dubai estate agent What the market knows for sure is that there will be two projects launched back to back in Riyadh, with Dar Global as the developer. The company is also responsible for the Trump Tower Dubai. 'The 80-storey tower introduces one of the highest outdoor pools globally,' said Syed. 'Residents have exclusive access to the Trump Membership Club. While memberships are not tied directly to unit ownership, it unlocks benefits across Trump International Towers worldwide. 'The Trump Tower Dubai is situated at the entrance of Downtown, offering a rare balance of visibility, access, and proximity to the city's most iconic landmarks. Its location supports both residential appeal and long-term asset value.' Starting prices at Trump Tower are Dh3.8 million for two-bedroom residences and Dh6.3 million for three-bedroom layouts. This 'reflects its positioning within Downtown's upper-tier market', according to Syed. 'The most exclusive two-bedroom units are priced at Dh7.6 million, while select three-bedroom residences reach Dh8.7 million. These reflect preferred layouts, elevations, and view lines – marking the upper range of each category.' In May 2024, Omniyat Properties confirmed the same of a penthouse at The Lana Residences, Dorchester Collection in Downtown Dubai for Dh139 million. This was the most expensive property to be sold with Burj Khalifa district. 'The Downtown Dubai continues to command some of the highest-value residential transactions in the region,' said Syed. 'Notable sales include a penthouse at Kempinski, The Boulevard sold for Dh80 million, and a residence at Il Primo, which transacted for Dh66.5 million. These sales underline sustained demand for ultra-prime products in the heart of the city.' The SZR is buzzing with the sounds of new projects getting started, most notably the 725 meter tall and 131 storey Burj Azizi. 'Dubai Marina, JLT and surrounding corridors among Dubai's most resilient sub-markets, recording rental yields of 7–10%' : Ravi Menon of Sobha And recently, there was the launch of the 'Sobha Central', a six-tower cluster on SZR. It will have a whole lot of apartments as well as '250,000 square feet of lush green parks, 175,000 square feet of leasable office spaces and 160,000 square feet of retail spaces including an in-built mall', is how the developer Sobha puts it. 'Recent industry reports highlight (Dubai) Marina, JLT and surrounding corridors among Dubai's most resilient sub-markets, recording rental yields of 7–10% and consistent capital appreciation,' said Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha. 'Sobha Central caters to the evolving aspirations of homeowners and investors seeking long-term investment value in a vibrant, central location.' The Sheikh Zayed Road is offering up quite a lot of that…
Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
DAR GLOBAL AND THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION'S NEW DUBAI ICON, TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER, DUBAI — HOME TO THE WORLD'S HIGHEST OUTDOOR POOL — ATTRACTS GLOBAL INVESTORS
DUBAI, UAE, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dar Global, the London-listed luxury real estate developer, and The Trump Organization have confirmed unprecedented global interest in the Middle East's first and only Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai, reinforcing the confidence of investors and buyers in the region's long-term growth potential. The recently launched landmark project, set along Sheikh Zayed road at the entrance of Downtown Dubai with exclusive views to Burj Khalifa and the sea, represents the fifth collaboration between Dar Global and the Trump Organization. This new icon builds on the success of developments such as Trump Tower Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Trump International Golf Club and Hotel in AIDA, Oman's most luxurious beach master community. Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai blends world-class hospitality with exclusive residential offerings. Occupying 80 floors at 350m, Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai presents lavish hospitality offerings comprising exquisite rooms and suites, private lounges, personalized service, and world-class amenities for guests. Adding to its allure, The Trump - a private, members-only club, offers unmatched exclusivity and experience for select members. With sweeping views of the Burj Khalifa, the property will feature an exclusive resort-style pool dedicated to residents only. Furthermore, residents and guests will enjoy access to the highest outdoor pool in the world with breathtaking panoramic views. Crowning the Tower, two distinctive penthouses with sky pools epitomize the best of design elegance and exclusivity, setting a new benchmark for luxury living in Dubai. Inspired by the legendary Trump Tower Penthouse on New York's 5th Avenue, these breathtaking duplexes boast floor-to-ceiling windows that capture sweeping views of the Dubai skyline. Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said: "The overwhelming response to Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, luxury and innovation. Our collaboration with Dar Global on this landmark development brings unparalleled quality and world-class amenities to Dubai's luxury market." Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, added: "Dubai's vibrant economy and strategic location make it a prime destination for global investment, and Dar Global recognizes this potential. The Trump International Hotel & Tower, developed alongside the Trump Organization, is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this growth, offering investors a unique opportunity to participate in Dubai's success story."
