Wednesday, December 16, 2020

It's Genetic

Arwa Mahdawa writes that speculation is Jared and Ivanka Kushner are planning to flee to Florida:

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump have decided not to move back to New York and are heading to Florida. According to the New York Post, the pair have spent over $30m on almost a hectare of land near Miami Beach. While that may seem like a wild amount to spend on a relatively small piece of empty land, it is situated on the super-exclusive Indian Creek Island, which has the nickname Billionaire’s Bunker.

There are only 41 residences on the island and it has a 13-strong police force as well as its own round-the-clock armed marine patrol. It’s supposedly one of the most secure places in the world. Although, to be honest, I can think of a few places with even higher security where some of the Trump family may end up next.

Life gets tough when you have to leave the White House. But perhaps the Kushners are thinking like Ivanka's father. Florida is a good place to protect your assets:

Florida is a great place to move to if you are a retiree or a criminal. As well as sun, sea and sand, it boasts a number of laws that may appeal to someone desperate to keep their hands on their money. These include something called a “homestead exemption”, which protects a Florida resident’s primary home (of unlimited value) from being seized by creditors.

Back in 2008, for example, Bernie Madoff’s wife suddenly switched her primary residence from New York to Florida and applied for a homestead exemption to protect her $9.4m home. Weirdly, she applied for this exemption just a few months before Madoff pleaded guilty to running a massive Ponzi scheme.

For the Trumps, grifting is genetic.

Image: Patrick Semansky/AP

10 comments:

Toby said...

Of course, the centerpiece of Indian Creek Island is a golf course.

The downside of that property, like most of coastal Florida, is that it is barely above water.

The Disaffected Lib said...

Somewhat off point, Alberta also has a "homestead" exemption in respect of federal bankruptcy law. For years it was a somewhat common ruse for a debtor unable to outrun his creditors to sink his assets into some feedlot property and declare that his homestead.

As for the Kushners, it's speculated they chose Florida after learning they've become persona non grata to the better circles of Manhattan. New York's society folks are said to have shunned them. It's also rumoured that Ivanka is eyeing a run for a senate seat in Florida. Jeebus knows her chances would be somewhat less than nil in New York.

As for Trump's namesake, Jr., there's talk he may run for the Senate from Long Island, perhaps even governor of New York. Somehow I sense that New Yorkers might have lost their appetite for the brand. The last Republican presidential candidate to take New York was Reagan. Trump Sr. had his ass handed to him in 2016 and again this year. Besides, with New York and Manhattan district attorneys closing in on the Trump Organization I doubt Don Jr. will want to have a high profile in that state.

Owen Gray said...

It won't be long until they're up to their knees in water, Toby.

Owen Gray said...

I read that Trump's Maro-Largo neighbours are organizing to keep him from returning to the neighbouhood, Mound. And he thought people of colour were the the problem.

Trailblazer said...

They leave destruction behind them, LOL.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/16/atlantic-city-auction-blow-up-trump-casino

Trump has been exposed as in the Emperor has no cloths.
His empire , such as it is, collapses before our eyes , exposed and now humiliated.
The best Trump and his supporters can now do is whistle Dixie and see who comes from the shadows!!
TB

Trailblazer said...

Imagine a world where you have to spend $30 US to re establish yourself within society!!
Imagine you are within a mind set that says 'who the fuck wants to read a book about poor people!.

It's not so long ago that many Canadians wished to be and compared themselves to Americans.
I doubt this thought hold much value today!

TB

Owen Gray said...

Trump stands naked before the world, TB. And 72 million Americans ignore what they see.

Owen Gray said...

If the Trumps knew anything about history, TB, they'd recall what happened to Marie Antoinette. But they are an astonishingly ignorant collective.

the salamander said...

.. more for TB Owen

Its 30 'large' and that's just the ante.. a seat at the table
Then you start getting gardners, private security, chefs, Private Press, PR & Media uh.. gurus. Then kitchen security to ensure no sous chef spits in your souffle or scatters rat droppings in the broth. It'll be hard to find a local pub.. or restaurant within 20 miles anyway. This is known as 'INFAMY' .. get used to it.. That's YOUR BRAND.. You'll compete with old school money.. and fail th sniff test. Only fools like you and Jerrod will be blind to the derision. Some things can't be bought.. Respect is one..

Owen Gray said...

The Trumps have never been able to compete with old money, sal. Nothing they do will gain them the respect they crave.