Donald Trump finally got his key to the City of Doral. Mayor Luigi Boria presented Trump with the award on Wednesday morning, opening day of the World Golf Championship during the unveiling of the Arnold Palmer villa at his resort — Trump National Doral. When and where Trump would get this key has been a mystery since the council voted 4-1 in favor of it in late January. Wednesday’s ceremony was not advertised to the community. “I feel so proud,” Boria said.
“On behalf of the residents of the city of Doral, and on behalf of our city council, to give you the keys of the City of Doral because I think you deserve it. Thank you for what you’ve done.” Related Champagne and birdies expected at Trump National Doral Golf food gets a makeover at WGC-Cadillac Championship in Doral Marquee pairings abound for WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral Crandon golf course is a diamond in the rough Trump’s adult children — Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric — were by his side when Boria came up to the podium and surprised the honoree with the key. “Wow, I didn’t know this,” Trump said, with surprise. “Thank you very much to the city and to the council. We’ve been such great friends.” Trump, the real estate magnate and reality TV star, has been a big part of Doral’s history. Many people attribute rising property values in the city to his renovated resort.
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Since 2012, Trump has poured in more than $250 million renovations of the old Doral Golf Resort. He bought the 50-year-old property and four of its five golf courses out of bankruptcy for $150 million and delivered a massive overhaul. Boria cited that Trump deserves recognition because of job opportunities the resort has brought to the city; he also called Trump’s resort an “economic engine.” The key’s journey from the city into Trump’s hands is an intricate tale. On Jan. 12 — two weeks before Trump brought the Miss Universe pageant to Doral — Boria put in a request for the council to consider giving a key to both Trump and the president of Miss Universe. But later that day, he retracted his request for Trump’s key. He originally explained his change of mind by saying “Trump doesn’t deserve my key. I think it’s appropriate for Miss Universe and the Miss Universe organization to have the key. It doesn’t make sense for Trump to have one.”
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