Trump defies property slump with $100m sale
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.America's real-estate market is struggling, but not for the property developer Donald Trump, who has sold a mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, for $100m (£50m) to a Russian billionaire.
"In an age of so many people getting hurt in real estate, it shows that you can still do well in real estate," Mr Trump said. A spokeswoman said that $100m was the most paid for a property in the United States, although there is no way of verifying this claim.
The Russian fertiliser billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev bought the 60,000sq ft (5,575sq m) oceanfront home, which Mr Trump had renovated after buying it for about $41m in 2004.
He assigned renovations to Kendra Todd, a winner on Mr Trump's reality television show competition The Apprentice, who dressed it up with marble and 24-carat gold fixtures, including in the bathrooms. The home, called Maison de L'Amitie, is spread over several buildings and includes separate wardrobes and bathrooms for men and women off the main entrance. A large fountain greets guests from the front along with 475ft (145m) of ocean in the back.
"I think it's a great sign for the area, a great sign for Palm Beach and all that Palm Beach represents," Mr Trump said. He originally put the mansion on the market in 2006 for $125m.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments