Serbian President Allegedly Pressured Officials for Trump Tower Project
President Aleksandar Vučić allegedly intervened to strip a Belgrade building of protected status to facilitate a $500 million Trump-branded real estate development.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić allegedly led an illegal scheme to remove the protected cultural status of the General Staff building in Belgrade to enable the construction of a $500 million Trump-branded hotel and residential tower. The project was a joint venture between the Trump Organization and a real estate company owned by Jared Kushner, which would have received a free 99-year lease from the Serbian government.
Heritage officials Dubravka Đukanović and Olivera Vučković resigned in protest after pressure to strip the site's protection. The project was eventually canceled following the indictment of Culture Minister Nikola Selaković for abuse of office. Leaked documents and witness accounts indicate Vučić personally led meetings to force the status change, while Finance Minister Siniša Mali allegedly demanded the resignations of officials who resisted the move.
Vučić has denied the allegations, characterizing the prosecutors as "corrupt gangs" and claiming the case was fabricated. Representatives for the Trump Organization and Jared Kushner have denied any involvement in the removal of the building's protected status or participation in a pay-to-play scheme.
