The Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey: ruin on the Boardwalk
Photo: TOM MIHALEK / REUTERS
The US gambling stronghold of Atlantic City left several bankrupt casinos behind Donald Trump long before his presidency.
One of them has been falling into disrepair on the famous Boardwalk for years and should finally disappear.
That gave the city in the US state of New Jersey the idea in December to auction the demolition of Trump Plaza for charity.
But now nothing comes of it.
The responsible auction house in Bodnars had to stop the bidding initiated by Mayor Marty Small for the push of a button with a heavy heart.
"We are extremely saddened to have to end the auction," said the company.
The highest bid was already $ 175,000.
At a time when money was urgently needed for youth work, the funds were of great help to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City - to which the proceeds should have gone.
According to Bodnars, the action failed due to Trump friend and casino owner Carl Icahn.
According to US media, the controversial US billionaire is said to have offered to make the donation himself.
He reportedly had safety concerns about the demolition.
Trump himself had largely withdrawn from Atlantic City in 2009 after four filing for bankruptcy for companies from his former casino empire, although his name was still emblazoned on some of the outdated swanky buildings.
The outgoing US President sold the last shares in the casino company Trump Entertainment Resorts in March 2016 as part of a restructuring.
The New York hedge fund investor Icahn, a friend of his, took control, but Trump Plaza had no future under him either.
Atlantic City's Mayor Small wants to remove the run-down building without auctioning it
Icon: The mirror
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