Why Did Trump Bury His Wife On His Golf Course?
Ivana Trump’s burial place is now garnering suspicion that its location could mean tax breaks for her ex-husband, former President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump hasn’t landscaped his ex Ivana Trump’s grave at his Bedminster golf course, and it’s now overrun by an untidy mess of weeds: report
The grave of Donald Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump, is overgrown with weeds, per the Daily Mail.
Ivana Trump passed away last year and was laid to rest at the Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey.
The grave of Ivana Trump, the first wife of former President Donald Trump, is now overrun with grass and weeds, per a new report from the Daily Mail.
Ivana Trump died on July 14, 2022, in her New York City townhouse. The New York City medical examiner said she died from blunt impact injuries to her torso, and ruled her death as an accident. She was laid to rest in a private family plot at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Months after her burial, photos of Ivana’s poorly maintained grave were published by the Daily Mail. Her headstone was barely visible in the pictures, and appeared to be largely overrun by long grass and weeds.
A Trump official told the Daily Mail that a larger headstone will be laid after the soil and foundation have been given time to fully settle.
The Trumps got married in 1977 and had three children together: Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump. They got divorced in 1992 following Trump’s affair with Marla Maples.
“She was a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life,” Trump said in a tribute to Ivana after her death.
Insider reported in July 2022 that burying Ivana at the Bedminster golf course could be a way for the former president to get some tax breaks. Under the New Jersey state tax code, any land that is dedicated to cemetery purposes is exempt from all taxes, rates, and assessments.
But Trump’s long considered the idea of building a grave site on the golf course. In 2012, the news site NJ.com said Trump thought about building a 19-foot-high, classical-style stone structure as a mausoleum for his family. The plan was scrapped after Trump faced opposition from city officials, who said the structure’s design would be garish and out of place, per The Washington Post.
Representatives for Donald Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.
Donald Trump’s decision to bury his first wife, Ivana Trump, at his Bedminster golf course in New Jersey has sparked a mix of intrigue and debate. The choice, which might seem unusual to some, appears to have been influenced by a combination of personal, financial, and possibly symbolic reasons, each contributing to the rationale behind this decision.
1. Personal and Familial Significance
Ivana Trump, who passed away in July 2022, was the mother of Donald Trump’s three eldest children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. Despite their divorce in 1992, Ivana and Donald maintained a complex relationship characterized by both public disputes and personal respect. The Bedminster property holds significant meaning for the Trump family. It’s one of Donald Trump’s favorite estates and a place where he has spent considerable time, both personally and professionally. Ivana was reportedly fond of the property, which might have made it a meaningful and sentimental location for her final resting place.
2. Financial and Tax Considerations
One of the most discussed aspects of this decision is the potential financial benefits associated with burying Ivana on the golf course property. Under New Jersey law, land designated as a cemetery can qualify for significant tax benefits, including reductions in property, income, and sales taxes. If the Bedminster property is officially designated as a cemetery, the tax liabilities could be dramatically lowered.
This aspect has led to widespread speculation that the decision was partly driven by financial motives. By burying Ivana on the property, the Trump Organization might be able to capitalize on these tax breaks, reducing the overall financial burden associated with the estate. Critics of Trump have pointed to this as a potential reason, arguing that it aligns with his history of strategic financial maneuvers.
3. Symbolic and Legacy Considerations
Beyond the financial implications, there might also be symbolic reasons for this choice. Bedminster is more than just a golf course; it’s a place closely associated with Trump’s identity, both during and after his presidency. The estate has hosted significant events, including meetings during Trump’s presidency, and is seen as a part of his personal and professional legacy.
Burying Ivana at Bedminster could be a way for Trump to cement the property as a lasting part of his family’s legacy. It connects the estate not just to his business ventures but to his family’s personal history. This could reflect Trump’s desire to create a lasting legacy that intertwines his personal and professional lives, with Bedminster serving as a central piece of that legacy.
4. Public and Media Reaction
The decision has been met with a range of reactions. Some view it as a deeply personal choice that reflects the family’s close ties to the property, while others are more skeptical, seeing it as a calculated move with financial benefits. Media coverage has often focused on the potential tax advantages, sometimes overshadowing the personal aspects of the decision.
In the broader context of Trump’s life and career, this decision fits into a pattern of actions that blend personal significance with financial acumen. Whether motivated by sentiment, strategy, or a combination of both, the burial of Ivana Trump at Bedminster is a decision that will likely remain a point of discussion for years to come, as it touches on themes central to Trump’s public and private life: family, business, and legacy.
