New York puts Trump in its rearview

The (mostly) charming family movie “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” is about a divorced father living alone in his posh Manhattan digs. Unexpectedly, he receives two boxes of penguins, and chaos ensues. But the 2011 film has a not-very-subtle subtheme: the prominence of future President Donald Trump as the quintessential rich and heroic New Yorker.

Popper (Jim Carrey) and the penguins go skating at Central Park’s Wollman Skating Rink — excuse me, the Trump Wollman rink. You see TRUMP in gigantic letters appearing in almost every camera angle and no Wollman.

There’s a scene in the landmark Tavern on the Green, where Popper quips, “You can’t even get a reservation here unless you’re dating The Donald.” No explanation needed about whom “The Donald” refers to or his alleged attraction to fabulous women.

“What is up with this Donald Trump as product placement?” a reviewer for the National Catholic Register asked.

There’s more of that in the backstory. The real-life Tavern had fallen on hard times and was closed. Trump was talking big to New York media about plans to spend $20 million to rebuild the icon and make it “the highest-grossing restaurant on the planet.”

But it was only talk. When the city parks department finally asked potential operators to submit bids, Trump was nowhere to be found.

“Bizarrely, the movie seems to pretend that Trump already has something to do with the place,” the reviewer complained.

This is my roundabout way of noting that Trump can no longer get away with playing big-hearted tycoon on what was his home turf. The Trump name is gone from six of his buildings and the skating facility (again called the Wollman Rink). Their association with the president was turning off the public.

Before the 2016 campaign, New Yorkers didn’t detest Trump as so many do today. They regarded him as a colorful character who aspired to be in the top tier of the city’s superwealthy. Maybe he scammed the little people — for example, tricking them to buy stock in his failing casinos — but hard-hearted sophisticates thought the investors had it coming. They believed in easy money and didn’t do their homework on Trump.

Trump recently moved his official permanent residence from New York to Florida. Saving taxes is the reason often put forward for the move. But another is the reality that Trump has no path for returning to Gotham as anything but a loathed figure.

Just last month, he was roundly booed at a World Series game in Washington. Perhaps assuming he’d receive a warm MAGA welcome at the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he joined the crowds at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The jeers matched the cheers.

After the presidency, he’d be razzed almost everywhere in the city. Some local magnates might thank him for cutting their taxes, but the middle-class masses would remain angry that he raised theirs by taking away deductions for their high state and local taxes.

Now, life could be palmy at Mar-a-Lago. Trump would find year-round golf, and he’d remain king of his compound. Rich Palm Beachers might invite him over to add buzz to their parties.

But the glittering global stage that is Gotham would no longer be his oyster. Sure, he could visit, but not as a hotshot everyone wants to please. He’d also have a hard time cultivating the name and the image that has been key to The Trump Organization.

So-called Trump Country is the last place he’d want to live. He really likes to surround himself with the superrich. So Florida it is — and obscurity his future. There’s no going home for Donald Trump, certainly not if he thinks home is New York.

Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. 

Local News

Rev. Hedrington recognized at City Council meeting

Local News

Hadley, Pittman attend Lloyd J. Austin III farewell tribute

Local News

TCSO, Public Works team up to clear roadways

Local News

Modern vs. Contemporary furniture takes the stage at Center for the Arts

Local News

17th Century Colonial Dames hear program on Massachusetts Witch Trials

Lifestyles

Enrichment items complete the landscape!

Local News

Imagine Thomasville and Archbold Orthopedics celebrate grand opening and expanded healthcare services

Local News

Vita Fuse celebrates grand opening in Thomasville

News

Taylor and Cannon begin week one of Legislative Session 2025

Education

Thomas County Board of Education welcomes new leadership and member

Local News

TEF Concert Series continues Thursday with New York Polyphony

Local News

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. hosts successful coat drive

Local News

Incident Reports & Arrests 01-16

Education

SRTC Radiologic Technology students honored in pinning ceremony

Local News

Barwick city council to hold hearings on HB 581

Education

TCCHS Science Fair showcases student innovation

Local News

Flowers Auto Group donates $15,000—consecutively sponsoring Dinner on the Bricks for a decade

Local News

Spartan Wheel Chariots receives Honda donation

Local News

Covey Film Festival to premiere next Tuesday

Local News

Adult art classes and events to kick-off creative resolutions in 2025

Lifestyles

Green it or gray it in the landscape!

Local News

Cornerstone Collection expands at the History Center

Education

SRTC Foundation awards $79,500 in scholarships

Education

TCCHS musicians shine: 74 students earn seats in District Honor Band