FIFA Signed Trump Tower Lease With No Intention of Occupancy
A $4 million lease signed by the world’s soccer governing body at the Trump Organization’s most famous Manhattan property is raising eyebrows.
FIFA’s deal for 5,000 square feet on the 17th floor of Trump Tower was previously disclosed — there was a grand opening a year before the soccer event — but the New York Times has reported new details of the lease that have sparked concern among FIFA officials.
Those details include the financials: seven years and $4 million in total, which is said to be in line with market rates for the neighborhood. Current and former officials with the organization also revealed that FIFA had no intention of utilizing the space in any significant way, casting concern on the nature of the deal at the Trump Organization property.
The office sits largely vacant and won’t be staffed, officials told the outlet. It’s sometimes used for events, particularly during the United Nations General Assembly, according to the organization.
The decision to lease an office in New York City was led by FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino. The organization already has two offices in Miami, which are the ones the governing body regularly utilizes, and the space in New York raised red flags within the organization as a tax liability.
The White House declined to comment, while the Trump Org did not respond to a request for comment.
The details of the lease add to mounting scrutiny of Infantino’s relationship with Trump.
Before the World Cup even kicked off, Infantino provided President Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, panned by critics as a consolation gesture for the president’s longstanding desire to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
During the event, the suspension of United States star striker Folarin Balogun was rescinded after a red card, an unprecedented decision that came after Trump and Infantino had a call.
Infantino was also forced to backtrack on a plan to sell a portion of future tournaments, including World Cups, to a private fund led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner. That was only averted after Europe’s soccer organization threatened a boycott.
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