Trump’s Ivory Tower Gets A Reality Check: “Black Lives Matter” Painted On Trump International Hotel In Washington D.C.
Trump International Hotel was hit with “Black Lives Matter” messages by an anonymous tagger on Saturday afternoon. Other political messages written on the entryway included “No Justice” and “Peace” with a slash through the word.
Police were called to the scene about 4 p.m. to investigate the possible destruction of private property. However, the “Black Lives Matter” message didn’t appear out of nowhere. Video circulated of a man in a yellow shirt scrawling “Black Lives Matter” on the building before the police arrived.
Police are still searching for the anonymous graffiti artist. The only indication of the man’s identity is a single signature that simply reads “-Van” under the “Black Lives Matter” message. The video originally circulated on Twitter and other social media platforms. However, it’s unclear who originated it or if they have any affiliation with the graffiti or the “Black Lives Matter” message.
The “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice” messages were written on the side entrance of Trump International Hotel and as of Sunday, the hotel management decided to cover the messages with sheets of plywood. It’s a strange sight to see scrap wood lining the entrance of a $212 million luxury hotel, but the solution is only temporary.
Trump International Hotel, which is the most recent Trump facility to be built, had it’s grand opening last month to much excitement and media coverage. Trump International Hotel is located in Washington D.C. and the Washington Post reports that the hotel is actually on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue, just a few short blocks from the White House.
The property destruction of Trump International Hotel is just one of many things that have gone wrong for the Trump campaign this week. The Republican candidate started off a bad week with a rough debate performance against Hillary Clinton where Trump said avoiding paying taxes made him “smart,” body shamed the 1996 former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, reminded everyone how much he hates Rosie O’Donnell, and touted “law and order” as a way to heal the racial divide that is currently growing in the United States.
It’s unclear if this act of graffiti has to do with any of Donald Trump’s political messages or if it is an opportune expression of a movement. At Monday night’s first presidential debate Trump again praised the effectiveness of stop and frisk, a police tactic that is notorious for targeting black and Hispanic populations, especially males. This and Trump’s extensive history of discriminating against black and brown people could have made the real estate mogul a target for the Black Lives Matter movement to make a statement.
Other than his shaky debate performance, Trump has also made his week worse by sending out tweets at 5 a.m. that tried to discredit Alicia Machado. Trump alluded to a sex tape Machado had appeared in, but the move backfired when it was actually revealed that Donald Trump made a cameo in a softcore porn in 2000. The Republican candidate doesn’t have any sex scenes, but he can be seen spilling champagne all over a Playboy bunny vehicle.
In possibly the biggest blow to Trump’s campaign, the New York Times released part of the candidate’s 1995 tax return which indicated that Trump may not have paid taxes for 18 years. Trump and his team have threatened the publication with legal action, but the New York Times stands by publishing the tax returns.
Although Trump International Hotel’s graffiti doesn’t directly affect Donald Trump, it does send a clear message. The Trump luxury hotel is located in the heart of Washington D.C. and hotel rooms start at around $895 dollars a night. With conversations swirling about Trump’s business efficacy, his wealth, and his racist policies, it seems almost poetic that “Black Lives Matter” was written on his multi-million dollar hotel.
Police are still looking for the graffiti suspect but have yet to arrest anyone at this time.
[Image by Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Images]
