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1) Trump bought Turnberry golf resort in Scotland in 2014 for $60 mn, spent $150 mn to renovate - part of an all-cash spending spree that is not consistent with Trump's visible resources.
2) Turnberry has consistently lost money. Trump's other golf resort in Scotland has lost even more, $6.2 million in losses for the two in 2017.
3) Turnberry is almost a 90 minute drive from the region's main airport, Glasgow International. The most convenient way to reach this troubled, under-performing golf course by air is via Prestwick airport, SW of Glasgow, 34 miles from Turnberry.
4) But Prestwick Airport of course is also in desperate trouble. It nearly closed in 2013. The Scottish government took responsibility. Airport went back on market last year; looking for a buyer despite 7.6 million in losses for year ending March 2018.
5) Sometime in 2017, US Air Force planes began landing at Prestwick to refuel. A lot. They bought $11 million of fuel. Prestwick's passenger business loses money massively, so servicing the USAF helps the bottom line -and makes the airport more attractive to prospective buyers
6) As @NatashaBertrand reports: there is no paperwork available at all as to why the USAF is making these refueling decisions. Nor will DoD answer questions about the decision. Maybe there are excellent reasons; if so, nobody is stating them.
7) Meanwhile at least one US Aircrew has been lodged at taxpayer expense at the Trump Turnberry, despite hundreds of less expensive alternatives closer to Prestwick - and despite a less expensive very pleasant-looking hotel literally across the road from Turnberry
8) Again, maybe there are sound explanations for all of this. Yet Trump administration seems bashful about sharing those explanations with public. And of course - none of this was voluntarily disclosed by Trump Organization.
9) Just one more example of reporters engaging in that behavior so offensive to Eric Trump: asking questions. Thanks Natasha.
And there’s always a tweet
“Donald Trump pledges to make Prestwick Airport 'really successful'”
news.stv.tv/scotland/29964… via @STVNews
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
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