Temporary Liquor Licenses for Trump Golf Clubs in New Jersey Amid Legal challenges
Current Developments in Licensing Status
New Jersey has granted provisional liquor permits too two golf clubs owned by former President Donald Trump, enabling them to continue alcohol sales while the state investigates whether his felony convictions disqualify these establishments from holding such licenses. The state requires that all revenue from alcohol sales be kept in separate accounts and forbids any profit distribution to companies affiliated with Trump.
Legal Background and Consequences
In May 2024, a Manhattan jury found Donald Trump guilty on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records tied to hush-money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign. Each charge carries potential penalties of up to four years imprisonment and fines reaching $5,000.
According to new Jersey law, individuals convicted of crimes involving “moral turpitude”-including fraud or dishonesty punishable by more than one year in prison-are prohibited from holding liquor licenses. This statute is central to the ongoing debate about whether Trump’s convictions should impact his clubs’ ability to serve alcohol.
The State’s Interim Measures: conditional Temporary Permits
Following the conviction, new Jersey’s Division of alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) declined renewal of liquor licenses for Trump’s Bedminster and Colts Neck golf courses. Instead, they issued a series of temporary permits initially valid for 90 days each but extended repeatedly over nearly two years.
The latest six-month permits mandate that all proceeds from alcohol sales be segregated into distinct accounts separate from other club finances. Furthermore, these funds cannot be paid out directly or indirectly to any entities controlled by Trump. The ABC also demands greater openness regarding ownership structures at both locations.
A Unique Legal Outcome for a Former U.S. President
This restriction on liquor licensing represents one of the rare tangible consequences directly linked to Trump’s felony convictions-a situation unprecedented among former presidents whose private businesses have rarely faced such regulatory repercussions.
The Trump Organization’s Defense Regarding License Ownership
The organization contends that since Donald Trump is not officially listed as a license holder nor serves as an officer or director on any entity possessing New Jersey liquor licenses-or elsewhere in the United States-his personal criminal record should not affect these permits’ validity.
Court and Regulatory Findings Challenge These Claims
Despite this position, regulators maintain that Trump holds a “direct beneficial interest” in these licenses as he ultimately receives profits generated through them. Financial disclosures reveal ownership via LLCs controlled by a revocable trust were he is both sole beneficiary and asset provider.Additionally, filings confirm he retains control over his businesses despite stepping down as president.
Reasons Behind Delayed Final Determination
The ABC has yet to publicly explain why more than a year has passed without issuing a definitive ruling on whether Trump’s criminal record disqualifies him under New Jersey law from involvement with licensed establishments.
“Profiting from a liquor license is not an inherent right but rather a privilege regulated by law,” stated an official spokesperson for New Jersey’s attorney general office when describing conditions imposed during this interim period.”
Economic Performance Amidst Regulatory Scrutiny
Financial disclosures filed mid-2025 covering fiscal year 2024 indicate that Bedminster and Colts Neck golf courses collectively generated revenues exceeding $49 million despite ongoing legal challenges surrounding their operations.
An Unprecedented Ancient Context
This case marks the first time an ex-president faces felony convictions resulting in direct consequences affecting business interests closely tied with public licensing authorities governing alcoholic beverage sales-a novel intersection between political history and regulatory enforcement.
Diving Deeper: Operational Compliance Issues at Golf Clubs
- Peculiar Use of Official Symbols: Some golf courses owned by Trump have displayed emblems resembling federal seals-a practice possibly violating laws prohibiting commercial use of government insignia.
- Poor Health Inspection Results: In May 2025, Bedminster received one of Somerset county’s lowest health inspection scores at just 32 out of 100 points due mainly to food safety violations; subsequent reinspections showed only slight advancement.
- Total net Worth Overview: As estimated mid-2025, Donald Trump’s net worth stands near $5.3 billion-with significant portions attributed recently to cryptocurrency assets.
A Comparative Example Highlighting Varied State Approaches
A similar scenario unfolded in California where regulators ruled differently concerning properties indirectly linked through family members rather than direct ownership; there they allowed license control transfers within families without disqualification despite underlying financial benefits remaining unchanged-illustrating how states diverge widely when interpreting comparable cases involving politically prominent figures’ business interests under scrutiny.
