Ed Koch’s Feud with Trump Decades Ago
Decades ago, I worked in NY City, an experience burned into my memory that I’ll never forget. During that time, I became very familiar with Trump, his egomaniac behavior, and how he was viewed by others. When I was there, Ed Koch was mayor of NY who served from 1978 to 1989. I knew that Koch was a very popular mayor even after several scandals consumed his last term. I also knew that Trump was hated in NY, especially by the business community who mocked his cheesy business tactics and tacky taste in his buildings. What I didn’t know was that he and Koch feuded regularly during that time. There were several occasions where Trump offered to finish city construction projects or waive his real estate fees. He reneged on all of those offers when Koch refused to put Trump’s name on the projects including the skating rink in Central Park.
The depth of Koch’s hatred of Trump wasn’t really known until a number of papers, including essays written by him in the 80s and early 90s surfaced in 2017. Here are some sweet tidbits:
“I wouldn’t believe Donald Trump if his tongue were notarized.”
“Donald Trump is one of the least likable people I have met during the 12 years that I served as mayor. It is incomprehensible to me that for some people he has become a folk hero.”
“Trump obviously considered himself to be my friend at one time, and because of that, or because he gave or raised $70,000 for one of my mayoral campaigns, he expected something in return. He never got it. And he thought that was disloyal.”
Koch also recounted an experience of a friend who was going to have a meeting with Trump. A London merchant who knew Trump predicted what would happen:
“Ten minutes into the meeting the phone on Trump’s desk will ring. He will answer it and say, ‘You offered them $40 million and they turned it down? Offer them $60 million.’ He will then hang up and resume his meeting with you.”
“That is exactly what happened.”
I have known what a horrible human being Trump was and is. It is incomprehensible to me why ANY person would believe any words coming out of his mouth, much less do business with him.
El Jefe, in a place not New York City we also knew the truth about him. As for the others who knew nothing despite all the damn press he got, there own lives have to be way more interesting and engaging than anything else on the planet.
1I lived in NY at this time, also. I didn’t know anyone who, upon hearing Trump name, had a positive reaction. He was loathed then for being a Star Fucker – having his photo in papers with high profile people – and crooked business man, not paying his contractors or suppliers. I remember the skating rink repair. It was a great thing, but a snub toward Kotch. We all knew it was a publicity stunt for Trump.
2Why would anybody believe him? 40+ years of unrelenting character assassination, barefaced lies, and agitprop by the GOP against Democrats. So many conservatives believe any accusation against a Democrat without a second’s thought and cannot be shaken from that.
3It’s an unfortunate fact of life that a lot of people actually respect big loudmouth lying assholes. I think that problem is more widespread in the US than many other places in the world and it will be our undoing.
Sorry for the vulgar name but that was the most polite word I could think of.
4I too grew up near NYC.
5Everybody knew that Trump was a liar a bragget, a bully and “in with the mob.”
Nothing has changed.