BEDMINSTER, NJ – New Jersey has postponed a critical hearing concerning the potential revocation of liquor licenses at three golf courses owned by former President Donald Trump.
This delay stems from a shift in the sentencing date related to Trump’s New York conviction on 34 felony counts, which was originally set for July but has been moved to September.
The New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) was scheduled to hold the hearing on July 19,, to determine the fate of the liquor licenses at Trump National Golf Clubs in Bedminster, Colts Neck, and Pine Hill.
This week, Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea played dueling campaign messages, each calling upon the state to drop the matter for the sake of the employees who work at each location.
However, because the state law prohibits individuals convicted of crimes involving “moral turpitude” from holding liquor licenses, the outcome of Trump’s sentencing is crucial to the ABC’s decision. With the sentencing delayed, the hearing has also been postponed to a later, yet-to-be-announced date.
The ABC will reassess its schedule and announce a new date for the hearing. This case remains highly significant as it could impact the operations of these prominent golf courses.
The move has raised eyebrows and sparked heated debates. The New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is reviewing whether former President Donald Trump should retain liquor licenses at his three New Jersey golf courses following his conviction in New York earlier this year. The timing of the review, which coincides with the 2024 presidential election, has led some to speculate that these actions could be politically motivated.
Under New Jersey law, anyone convicted of a crime involving “moral turpitude” is barred from holding a liquor license. Trump’s recent conviction on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to cover up a payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels certainly fits the bill—at least on paper. However, the Trump Organization has pushed back, arguing that Trump himself does not hold the liquor licenses directly. Instead, they claim that the licenses are held by legal entities separate from Trump, despite his role as the sole beneficiary of these businesses.
With Trump’s sentencing delayed until September 2024, the New Jersey ABC has postponed its hearing to revoke these licenses. The delay itself is notable, given that the original hearing date was scheduled just days after Trump was expected to be sentenced. This raises the question: Is the ABC holding Trump’s liquor licenses as leverage, possibly to influence his actions or decisions during the presidential campaign?
Critics argue that the timing of the review and its potential consequences could be a way for New Jersey’s Democratic administration to exert pressure on Trump during a critical period. If the licenses are revoked, it would not only hurt Trump financially but could also be used as a talking point by his political opponents, casting him as a businessman unable to legally operate his own properties.
This isn’t the first time Trump’s business dealings have been under scrutiny during a political campaign. The Trump Organization’s operations have often been entangled with his political persona, and legal battles surrounding his businesses frequently find their way into the news cycle, sometimes at suspiciously opportune moments for his detractors.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, whose office oversees the ABC, has maintained that the review is purely a matter of enforcing state law. However, Trump supporters see this as a selective application of justice, aimed at tarnishing Trump’s reputation and weakening his 2024 campaign.
For Trump, the stakes are high. The golf courses in question—Trump National Golf Clubs in Bedminster, Colts Neck, and Pine Hill—are not just luxurious playgrounds for the wealthy but also significant revenue generators. Losing the liquor licenses could not only affect their profitability but also diminish their appeal as elite destinations. Moreover, any action taken against these properties during an election year could be weaponized by Trump’s political opponents as evidence of his unfitness for office.
As the 2024 election draws nearer, the New Jersey ABC’s review of Trump’s liquor licenses adds another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous political landscape. Whether this is a genuine legal issue or a strategic political maneuver, it underscores the increasingly blurred lines between law, politics, and business in the Trump era. As the hearing date approaches, all eyes will be on New Jersey to see if this is just the latest in a long line of political chess moves—or a legitimate enforcement of the law.
Regardless of the outcome, this saga serves as a reminder that in the world of high-stakes politics, nothing is off-limits, not even the liquor licenses of a golf course.
