Trump Aberdeen's Proposed Second Course Seen As Another Dunes Destroyer

Business Insider’s Thomas Colson reports on outrage over the proposed second course at Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen.

Trump's second course will adjoin the existing one and be built on a different area of sand dunes that remain part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are fears that those, too, will now be destroyed, meaning the entire sand dune system will eventually be destroyed - or "stabilized."

"I think it will lead eventually to further damage to all of the sand dunes," said the LSE's Bob Ward.

"There will be nothing left of the natural dune system. At the moment if you go there, you go along the shoreline and there's a very large dune bank that protects the inland including the golf course. And once you go inland, there was this whole dune system. But part of it has already been destroyed by the golf course - and now a bigger area is going to be affected by this second golf course. The whole thing is going to be unrecognizable."

The council said the new course "will contribute towards the significant social and economic benefits expected to be delivered by the wider development proposals within the Menie estate."

Adding to the matter: the failure so far to deliver the promised economic benefit. Trump Golf will claim it needs the second course but given the abundance of links that seems a stretch.

But the current course has posted losses of over $1 million a year and locals say the economic benefits promised by the Trump Organisation when they built the first course have never materialized.

Guy Ingerson said: "Mr Trump and his organization promised the world: Thousands of jobs, lots of new amenities for the local community. That hasn't happened. So why are we allowing him to create a new golf course when he hasn't delivered on the existing promises made?"

Bloomberg recently offered this look at the drop in Trump’s net worth while in the White House and the golf properties stood out as a strength compared to other assets. They cite $18 million in debt, $108.3 million in and while a -19% income change from 2015-2020, and a $271.7M valuation.

Golf has been one of the few bright spots for the Trump empire during the pandemic, thanks to enthusiasm for a socially distanced outdoor sport. The number of rounds played last year was among the highest ever, according to Mike Loustalot, co-founder of Sagacity Golf, which collects data on the industry. But all isn’t well at the 19 courses his company owns or manages. Two in Scotland, Trump Turnberry and Aberdeen, have consistently lost money, U.K. filings show. After the Capitol attack, the PGA of America voted to end an agreement to host next year’s tournament at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, saying holding it there would hurt the group’s brand. The opening of Trump World Golf Club Dubai, Trump’s second course in the United Arab Emirates, has been delayed for years. That course, and two in Indonesia, are listed on his website as “coming soon.”

Trump Golf Scotland: Scottish Parliament's Unexplained Wealth Order Loses 89-32

A victory for Donald Trump in Scotland, reports this unbylined Reuters story.

The Scottish Green Party brought forward a motion calling on ministers to seek an "unexplained wealth order" (UWO) against Trump over his acquisition of the golf courses and resorts in north and west Scotland. It was defeated by a vote of 89 to 32.

The party's co-leader Patrick Harvie said there were longstanding concerns about Trump's financial conduct, describing the ex-president as "an untrustworthy dishonest, racist, conspiracy theorist" with whom Scotland should never have associated.

International Golf Federation President Annika Sorenstam Has Some Explaining To Do

Much has been made of Justin Thomas regrettably invoking a homophobic slur at the 2021 Sentry TOC. Even more was made—almost embarrassingly so given world events—of Thomas’s plight after Ralph Lauren suspended their relationship with the star golfer late Friday.

“RLX” is the golf clothing component among Ralph Lauren’s family of brands. They have created a faux lifestyle via shrewd marketing. The private company pay models and even golfers to conjure up a perception and ideal life. Their goal is to move merchandise to a large audience. They have every right to end a deal if someone they pay puts them in a bad light.

Fans will decide what they think of him and cynics will question the passion of RLX in dropping him at 7 pm ET on a Friday night, the dumpiest of news dump hours. Given RLX’s advertising in the major golf publications, you won’t hear much criticism of their timid timing or wishy-washy language.

For his part, Thomas apologized and has likely wiped the term from his repertoire. There are plenty of other companies—Citi, Titleist, Footjoy, Netjets, Woodford Reserve, etc…—willing to stand by the world No. 3. He’s also assuredly paid a handsome PGA Tour fine for his language and will find a new clothier for this week’s European Tour stop in Abu Dhabi and beyond. He will make his next mortgage payment.

A far more complicated case golf and negative attention surrounds Annika Sorenstam.

The all-time golf great and ambassador of the women’s game recently was elected president of the International Golf Federation and is also one of four deciding votes for entry into the World Golf Hall of Fame (alongside Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Nancy Lopez).

The IGF is an amalgamated organization fronting all of golf’s major families—the R&A, USGA, Augusta National Golf Club, PGA Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour—to represent golf on the world stage and grow the game.

Just hours after January 6th’s insurrection and riots at the Capitol resulting in five deaths, Sorenstam went ahead with an appearance at the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from outgoing President Donald Trump. She is an admirer, golf partner and longtime supporter of Trump but was apparently unmoved to cancel on the 7th, unlike New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick a few days later. There has been widespread condemnation of Sorenstam and Player for accepting the medal.

Trump will award Presidential Medals of Freedom to golfers Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player today -- after Trump inspired a mob to ransack the capitol, leaving four dead. Principled Trump staffers resigning. Annika, Gary, what are you doing?

— Thomas L. Friedman (@tomfriedman) January 7, 2021

There are many more opinion pieces out there but I found this from Swedish writer Martin Hardenberger to be a powerful summation of Sorenstam’s decision making and responsibility to the game. The English translation:

And here, by distancing himself and the entire Gulf from Trump and what he stands for, they could also have struck a blow for democracy and everyone's equal rights.

But they did not.

Of course, Annika and Gary had nothing to do with Wednesday's invasion of Congress, but when the rest of the United States was in mourning, they had Thursday coffee with the man and instead linked up with Trump and one of the biggest shame spots in the country's history.

For a person who not only dominated competitive golf but also crowned a senseless career by playing against the men, reducing gender gaps and working for golf as a more inclusive sport, it is nothing short of remarkable.

When we did not even talk about Trump being accused of sexual harassment by no less than 26 different women.

After the medal ceremony, I was commissioned to call for reactions. Among other things, I got hold of Helen Alfredsson.

“When you have a voice, it is important to stand up for things that are more important than yourself, such as democracy. Many young people look up to sports stars. If a sports star stands for something positive, it is easier for that young person to be influenced in the right direction.”

With the events of January 6th aging ever more poorly as more evidence surfaces and major corporations flee from anyone supporting the insurrection, Sorenstam has been silent. Active on social media until recently, she has shared nothing about receiving the medal or explained her view of Trump’s role inciting the riot. As a longtime follower, I can see that Sorenstam appears has deleted numerous re-Tweets demonstrating her support of Trump leading up to and after the election.

Her last Tweet features 554 replies and the reaction to her acceptance of the medal is overwhelmingly negative.

Her husband, Mike McGee, deleted his Twitter account entirely after the January 7th visit to Washington. It would have taken days to scrub @JMikeMcGee of the various conspiracy nonsense and hydroxychloroquine peddling. Given the role Sorenstam plays as IGF President, it was the only move for McGee to make.

Sorenstam appears to be hoping the entire thing will go away even as she is leading golf’s top organizations? Even though the mission of the IGF is to improve the game’s image with the world and the job is of some importance given the planned Tokyo Olympics this summer.

Sorenstam is scheduled to play this week as a celebrity in the LPGA Tour’s 2021 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in an event featuring celebrities, athletes and LPGA winners from 2018-2020. She is an ambassador of the event and will hopefully address her positions. This Mike Bianchi profile in the January 16th Orlando Sentinel quotes Sorenstam on a few topics and mentions the medal ceremon, but does not appear to address the topic with her.

I reached out to the IGF about Sorenstam receiving the medal on January 7th. This statement from a spokesperson was already posted on the blog in coverage of the Player/Sorenstam medal ceremony (an that remains hidden from public reporting with no official photographs or releases documenting what happened at the White House).

Here is the initial IGF statement:

The International Golf Federation is extremely proud that Annika Sorenstam has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with Gary Player and the late Babe Zaharias, each of whom not only excelled at golf but transcended our sport as role models, mentors and philanthropists.  

As noted when she was named as the IGF’s new President in December, Annika is universally respected as a generational talent in women’s golf who, since retiring from competition, has dedicated herself to promoting women’s golf at all levels through her foundation. We are extremely proud of Annika and all that she has accomplished. 

Following the groundswell of outrage over the rights and subsequent impeachment of President Trump, I asked the IGF for comment. I received this statement on January 15th:

As an International Federation, the IGF recognises the importance of the autonomy of sport from politics and that the IGF must always remain politically neutral. That said, the IGF does not condone any forms of violence or illegal acts, including those committed by individuals that were viewed by the world during the breaching of the US Capitol Building on 6 January 2021. 

The spokesperson was also asked about the Twitter account scrubbing. It was made clear the IGF “absolutely did not urge Annika to delete any Twitter posts.”

I also reached out to the World Golf Hall of Fame spokesperson on January 7th and Callaway, longtime sponsor of Sorenstam, and have not heard back.

In scrubbing Tweets and hunkering out of the limelight, Sorenstam may have recognized the error of her ways in accepting the medal only hours after the attempted insurrection. As an American citizen now, Sorenstam is more than entitled to her views under the First Amendment. But if she is to continue on voting for Hall of Fame members and representing golf to the world as IGF President, Sorenstam needs to clarify where she stands on the events of January 6th. Otherwise, it is hard to imagine how she can adequately represent golf and its leading organizations on an international stage.

NYC Cites Lack Of Major Events Lured To Ferry Point In Terminating Management Deal

While other contracts with the Trump Organization were cancelled over the Capitol insurrection, New York City’s announcement related to Trump Golf Links Ferry Point specifically cited a contractual issue. Namely, the failure to lure major events (it’s not clear if that means majors or just significant tournaments).

The PGA recently cancelled the 2022 PGA Championship at a Trump golf course.  In its contract with the Trump Organization to run Ferry Point Golf Course, the City called for a championship level golf course that would attract major championship events.

 The termination process for each location is detailed in each of the City agreements. The Carousel is currently closed and termination will be effective 25 days after the City’s termination notice is delivered. The Agreement for the Wollman and Lasker Rinks terminates after 30 days written notice. The process for terminating the Ferry Point Golf Course is more detailed and is expected to take a number of months.

According to GolfDigest.com’s Joel Beall, the Trump Organization will be fighting back and asking for lost revenues.

Eric Trump, son of President Trump and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, challenged the city’s decision in a statement to New York media outlets.

"Yet another example of Mayor de Blasio’s blatant disregard for the facts. The City of New York has no legal right to end our contracts and if they elect to proceed, they will owe The Trump Organization over $30 million," the statement said. "This is nothing more than political discrimination, an attempt to infringe on the first amendment and we plan to fight vigorously."

According to the Washington Post’s David Fahrenthold and Jonathan O’Connell, the course lost money again last year in Trump filings.

The course opened in 2015, but has failed to meet the Trump Organization’s profit projections: In the year ended in March 2020, the course lost more than $670,000, according to filings with the city.

In the most recent state rankings from Golf Digest and Golf, Trump Ferry Point did not crack the top 25 and top 30 in either listing. Granted, it’s the toughest neighborhood in America for great architecture, but given the interest in hosting major events and the dramatic site, it’s clear the course has not been a hit with panelists.

The course website remains up as of now, with quite the video montage of the clubhouse opening ceremony featuring Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Jack Nicklaus.

"A Different Order Of Magnitude" For Trump In Losing Major Championship Ties

There was no intention to neglect the blog this week for The Quadrilateral but as I mentioned in explaining the newsletter, major championship news happens year-round.

Today I recap Donald Trump’s not-surprising reaction to the PGA and R&A cutting all ties with the outgoing President and also have a lighter note on the 2022 betting race.

Yes, you can get a price on venues decided on by a board of golf professionals. What a world.

R&A: No Return To Trump Turnberry Any Time Soon

This has always been the position since Donald Trump’s purchase of Turnberry but post events of 1-6-21 the R&A has codified its stance on what is one of the very best courses in their "rota”.

STATEMENT FROM THE R&A
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A:

“We had no plans to stage any of our championships at Turnberry and will not do so in the foreseeable future. We will not return until we are convinced that the focus will be on the championship, the players and the course itself and we do not believe that is achievable in the current circumstances.”

PGA of America President: "It has become clear that conducting the PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster would be detrimental to the PGA of America brand"

In a video sent to the PGA of America membership not long after the organization board voted to terminate its contract with 2022 PGA site Trump Bedminster, Jim Richerson read this statement in a video sent to PGA of America members. (Thanks to all who forwarded.)

The key lines should the hostage be rescued and the video taken down:

“It has become clear that conducting the PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster would be detrimental to the PGA of America brand and would put at risk the PGA of America’s ability to deliver our many programs and sustain the longevity of our mission. Our board has thus made the decision to exercise our right to terminate the contract to hold the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster. It was a decision made to ensure the PGA of America and the PGA professionals can continue to lead and grow our great game for decades to come.”

It’s a tad alarming the PGA “brand” was mentioned but we get the drift. Plenty of folks would have suggested the statement was relevant years ago. It took an insurrection attempt against the United States by the sitting president to put them over the edge. This is where we are.

The Trump organization has issued a statement as quoted in this ABCNews story:

"We have had a beautiful partnership with the PGA of America and are incredibly disappointed with their decision," said a spokesperson for The Trump Organization. "This is a breach of a binding contract and they have no right to terminate the agreement. As an organization we have invested many, many millions of dollars in the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster. We will continue to promote the game of golf on every level and remain focused on operating the finest golf courses anywhere in the world."

**CEO Seth Waugh also mentioned the brand and suggested the situation is not of the PGA’s own in comments to AP, as noted here

"We find ourselves in a political situation not of our making," Seth Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America, said in a telephone interview. "We're fiduciaries for our members, for the game, for our mission and for our brand. And how do we best protect that? Our feeling was given the tragic events of Wednesday that we could no longer hold it at Bedminster. The damage could have been irreparable. The only real course of action was to leave."

Update on the 2022 PGA Championship from PGA of America on Vimeo.

PGA Of America Searching For Trump Bedminster Replacement

**Well not long after this went up, the PGA of America board voted to rescind the event and posted this statement on Twitter:

"The PGA of America Board of Directors voted tonight to exercise the right to terminate the agreement to play the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster." — Jim Richerson, PGA of America President

— PGA of America (@PGA) January 11, 2021

I thought I’d be easing into The Quadrilateral but the beauty of the newsletter format? I could send out news on the PGA Championship and Trump Bedminster.

My reporting is a bit more careful in characterizing the timing and status of the PGA of America’s effort to leave the 2022 PGA site. The situation is still developing, which is news itself for those reading between the lines.

My reporting certainly differs than some fairly oddball recklessness that I note in the item: NJ.com taking a prediction by Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch and making it news.

Signing up to The Quadrilateral is free for now, check out the item here.

In other reporting, Golf.com’s Alan Shipnuck says a few venues have emerged and that Bedminster members aren’t happy, either (Tweet since deleted).

This week in The Quadrilateral I’ll be breaking down these venues and other options that have been mentioned by sources. It’s trickier to find a venue on short notice than you might think.

Just spoke to a key source close to the '22 PGA. They say it's a done deal that it will be moved from Trump Bedminister but the PGA is waiting until post-inauguration to announce. Southern Hills/Liberty National are the top contenders as a landing spot. Shoal Creek making a push.

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) January 10, 2021

Player, Sorenstam Accept Presidential Medals Of Freedom Day After Capitol Carnage

As America reeled from the aftermath of Donald Trump inciting a Capitol-storming mob, a stealth Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony was held on White House grounds honoring golf greats Babe Zaharias, Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player. This, on the same day a Capitol police officer became the fifth person to succumb to injuries incurred as a result of the riot.

GolfDigest.com’s John Feinstein called out the “tone-deafness” of holding the ceremony given death and destruction inspired by the President’s comments (which he could face charges over for inciting a riot).

USA Today’s Christine Brennan writes that the reputations of Player and Sorenstam “are sullied, forever.”

They had nothing to do with the insurrection of the Trump mob on Wednesday, of course, but they happily became Trump’s Thursday accessories. They celebrated with him as our nation mourns what he has wrought.

When she retweeted Nicklaus’ endorsement of Trump, I texted her a question:

“How do you reconcile Trump’s awful record on women – bragging and joking about sexually assaulting women ("Access Hollywood" tape), calling the Democratic VP nominee a 'monster,' being accused of sexual assault or sexual harassment by at least 26 women, etc. – while being a woman who has forged an amazing career around the issues of inclusion for women and treating women equally and fairly and with respect?”

She never replied. On Thursday afternoon, I texted again, this time to say I’d like to talk to her about accepting the Medal of Freedom a day after the awful rampage of Trump supporters at the Capitol. She did not reply.

Player’s estranged son Marc also called out the timing of the ceremony:

I wish my father would simply & politely decline this “award” at this time. Tone deaf. In denial. Wrong!!

— Marc Player (@Marc_Player) January 7, 2021

I reached out to the International Golf Federation, where Sorenstam recently replaced Peter Dawson and hope to receive a statement from Executive Director Antony Scanlon on the medal acceptance. The IGF represents the game to the world via its role with the Olympic Games.

*Updated with IGF statement:

The International Golf Federation is extremely proud that Annika Sorenstam has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with Gary Player and the late Babe Zaharias, each of whom not only excelled at golf but transcended our sport as role models, mentors and philanthropists.  

As noted when she was named as the IGF’s new President in December, Annika is universally respected as a generational talent in women’s golf who, since retiring from competition, has dedicated herself to promoting women’s golf at all levels through her foundation. We are extremely proud of Annika and all that she has accomplished.  

Sorenstam’s longtime sponsor at Callaway has not replied to a request for a statement.

PXG, which includes Player as part of its Tour staff, offered this statement from CEO Bob Parsons:

“Mr. Player has led an exceptional life on and off the golf course - leveraging his celebrity and his resources to drive positive change and inspire generations. We are absolutely thrilled to see his legacy underscored with an honor as significant as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. While the timing of the event is unfortunate, nothing should detract from the merits of this accomplishment. Congratulations Gary!”

Both players opted not to release images of the ceremony or medal reception on their social media accounts.

The White House has not posted any images or transcripts of speeches from the event.

The only indication Player came to Washington arrived via his grandson’s public Instagram account:

First Minister Warns Trump: January Golf Trip To Scotland Is Not Essential Travel

Following Sunday’s Peter Swindon report of military preparations at Prestwick airport consistent with a presidential visit, Scotland’s First Minister has warned such a visit is forbidden under current lockdown rules.

According to the Independent’s Chiara Giordano, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a Trump trip to his resort during Scotland’s latest month-long lockdown would not be kosher.

But Scotland's first minister stressed it is illegal to travel in or out of the country without a valid reason and said: "Coming to play golf is not what I would consider to be an essential purpose."

Of course, the idea of golf at Turnberry in January isn’t exactly appealing unless you like temperatures in the low 40s with a strong chance of rain.

Video of the First Minister’s remarks.

Forbes: Declared Losses Now At "Roughly $90 Million" On Trump's European Golf Resorts

On top of the Scotsman’s reporting about Trump Golf’s year-end Scottish property declarations, Forbes’ Dan Alexander couples Doonbeg’s losses into the tally.

Since the president opened his Aberdeen course in 2012, he has lost $15.5 million. Business has been even worse at Turnberry, which Trump bought in 2014 for $65 million. Despite investing an additional $75 million or so to fix up the property from 2014 to 2018, the place piled up losses of $58 million, according to an analysis of financial reports. The 2019 figures, first reported by the Scotsman, bring Turnberry’s total losses to $61 million since 2014.

The Turnberry and Aberdeen properties make up half of Trump’s troubled portfolio of golf resorts. In Doonbeg, Ireland, he spent nearly $20 million on a third property, the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, in 2014. The president poured in another $12 million from 2015 to 2018, but he failed to see much of a return, racking up about $9 million in losses. Irish documents released in December show an additional $1.5 million of losses in 2019.

The Turnberry losses seem the least alarming given the amount of money put into the resort, but the lack of turnaround at Trump International Aberdeen and Doonbeg can’t bode well for the future given the relatively low development or purchase costs.

In other golf-related news, the (reluctantly) outgoing President cut short a busy slate of Florida golf to return to Washington so he could work the phones. His holiday golf included rounds with a group that included Rickie Fowler and another with Bernhard Langer, who vouched for the pardon of developer James Batmasian, reports the Daily Mail’s Harriet Alexander.

On December 23, Trump announced that he was pardoning South Florida real estate developer James Batmasian. The pardon was backed by Langer, GOP Congressman Brian Mast and 'many others from the South Flroida community', according to a White House statement.

Trump Turnberry, Aberdeen Report Another Year Of Losses

The Scotsman’s Martyn McLaughlin reports that 2019 was another year of reported losses for Trump Golf’s two Scottish golf properties, with increased revenues at Turnberry but £4.86m in depreciation and amortization write offs, marking the sixth year in a row in the red.

The new filings, posted at Companies House, cover the 12 months to 31 December 2019, and do not reflect the widespread disruption to Turnberry’s business brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

But they show that since the outgoing US president took over the historic property in 2014, its losses now total nearly £45m.

It comes just days after accounts for Mr Trump’s inaugural Scottish resort in Aberdeenshire posted losses of £1.1m, the eighth consecutive year it has been in the red.

President Trump Issues Less-Than-Pleasant Architectural Assessment

As the 45th President winds down his tenure, Donald Trump made his 292nd visit to one of his properties on Thanksgiving day.

If I were the third hole at Trump National Washington D.C., I’d be concerned about my architectural future after this shot, assessment and reaction…

Donald Trump got in a few holes before his Thanksgiving dinner, but it went about as well as the election for him ... and he was VERY vocal about it.SUBSCRIB...

Scotland: First Minister Says Trump Will Face "Due Accountability" Over Turnberry Purchase

Understandably still saddened by the loss of his partner on Scottish golf course planning, Sean Connery, President Donald Trump faces scrutiny from the Scottish government. “Due accountability” was how First Minister Nicola Sturgeon put it during a lively Parliament session after the Green Party co-leader and frequent Trump critic Patrick Harvie sought an “unexplained wealth order” to determine the source of Turnberry financing.

The Scotish leader said she wouldn’t protect “the soon-to-be former president of the United States” from “due accountability in Scotland” if wrongdoing is found. An investigation, including an unexplained wealth order, would be up to the Crown Office, the independent public prosecution system in Scotland, Sturgeon added. 

Green Party leader Patrick Harvie has contended Trump’s Scottish resorts raise suspicions because neither Turnberry (which lost $26 million in 2016) nor Aberdeen has turned a profit or paid a penny in taxes to Scotland since Trump purchased them. All of the revenue is allegedly absorbed by costs — with many of the expenses flowing back to the president’s Trump Organization.

“We need to protect Scotland’s good name from association with the toxic Trump brand,” Harvie said in Parliament. 

The Green Party press release calling for an investigation.

Turnberry last hosted the Open in 2009 and has since been renovated but has yet to be awarded another championship since the Trump Golf took control.

Nicklaus Knew Trump Endorsement “Would Cause Some Grief”, Suggests Hospitals May Be Fudging COVID-19 Death Data For Profit

The Palm Beach Post’s Tom D’Angelo followed up with Jack Nicklaus following last week’s provocative endorsement for President Donald Trump’s re-election. D’Angelo says the idea to make the social media endorsement came from Vice President Mike Pence.

“I’m delighted to do that,” Nicklaus, the North Palm Beach resident, said Friday, speaking about the controversial post for the first time. “I said, ‘You know how I feel about him. He’s been very supportive to everything we’ve ever done. He’s asked for nothing. If I can just on my own do that, I would be happy to do it.’

“And I know it was going to cause me some grief. So, that’s what I did.”

Later in the story, D’Angelo reports Nicklaus’s claim of hospitals attempting to profit by false-reporting COVID-19 deaths, a recent claim of President Trump.

Nicklaus told a story about two people he knows whose parents died from something other than COVID and, according to Nicklaus, they were asked if the cause of death could be changed to COVID and declined.

“The hospital gets more money with COVID death than they do another death,’ Nicklaus said. “I’m sure there’s been a lot of that.

Politico has reported that Nicklaus lobbied Trump on behalf of the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami seeking $20 million toward a mobile children's hospital project.