Elijah Grant
In 1973, the US Department of Justice sued Trump Management, Donald Trump, and his father Fred for racial discrimination against African Americans in their renting practices. The Trumps settled the suit in 1975, agreeing to familiarize themselves with the Fair Housing Act and take out ads stating that Black renters were welcome. However, in 1978, the Trump Organization was again sued for violating the terms of the 1975 settlement by continuing to refuse to rent to Black tenants. While Trump's exact involvement in these practices is unclear, given his young age and role in his father's business, the allegations of housing discrimination against the Trump family are well-documented and supported by various sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of lawsuit | 1973 |
| Parties sued | Trump Management, Donald Trump, Fred Trump |
| Allegations | Discrimination against African Americans in renting practices |
| Evidence | Testers found prospective black renters were told no apartments were available, while prospective white renters were offered apartments |
| Further evidence | Four of Trump's agents admitted to using a "C" or "9" code to label Black applicants and stated that they were told their company "discouraged rental to blacks" |
| Settlement | Trump agreed to familiarize himself with the Fair Housing Act, take out ads stating that Black renters were welcome, give a list of vacancies to the Urban League, and allow the Urban League to present qualified candidates for 20% of vacancies in properties that were less than 10% non-White |
| Subsequent lawsuit | The Trump Organization was sued again in 1978 for violating terms of the 1975 settlement by continuing to refuse to rent to black tenants |
| Donald Trump's involvement | Questioned, but likely minimal as he was still navigating his father's business at the time |
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What You'll Learn
- In 1973, the US Department of Justice sued Trump Management for racial discrimination
- Four of Trump's agents admitted to using a C or 9 code to label Black applicants
- In 1975, Trump settled, agreeing to familiarise himself with the Fair Housing Act
- In 1978, the Trump Organization was sued again for violating the 1975 settlement
- In 1983, two Trump Village properties were still over 95% White
In 1973, the US Department of Justice sued Trump Management for racial discrimination
In 1973, the US Department of Justice sued Trump Management, owned by Fred Trump and his son, Donald Trump, for racial discrimination in renting practices. Testers from the New York City Human Rights Division found that prospective Black renters were told there were no apartments available, while prospective White renters were offered apartments in the same buildings.
During the investigation, four of Trump's agents admitted to using a "C" (for "coloured") or "9" code to label Black applicants. They also stated that they were told their company "discouraged rental to Blacks" or that they were "'not allowed to rent to Black tenants". Three doormen testified to being instructed to lie to prospective Black renters about rental prices or claim no vacancies were available.
In 1975, a settlement was reached. Trump agreed to familiarise himself with the Fair Housing Act, advertise that Black renters were welcome, provide a list of vacancies to the Urban League weekly, and allow the Urban League to present qualified candidates for 20% of vacancies in properties that were less than 10% non-White. However, in 1978, the Trump Organization was sued again for violating the terms of the 1975 settlement by continuing to refuse to rent to Black tenants.
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Four of Trump's agents admitted to using a C or 9 code to label Black applicants
In 1973, the Justice Department sued Donald Trump and his father for refusing to rent to African Americans. Testers from the New York City Human Rights Division found that prospective Black renters at Trump buildings were informed that there were no apartments available, while prospective White renters were offered apartments in the same buildings.
Four of Trump's agents admitted to using a "C" (for "colored") or "9" code to label Black applicants. They stated that they were told their company "'discouraged rental to Blacks' or that they were 'not allowed to rent to Black tenants.' Prospective Black renters were to be sent to the central office, while White renters could have their applications accepted on-site. Three doormen testified to being instructed to discourage prospective Black renters by lying about rental prices or claiming no vacancies were available.
Two former Trump employees, a married couple, testified that they were told the company wanted to rent only to "Jews and executives" and "discouraged rental to Blacks." They were also informed that a racial code was in effect, with "No. 9" referring to Black applicants.
A settlement was reached in 1975, in which Trump agreed to familiarize himself with the Fair Housing Act, take out ads stating that Black renters were welcome, and provide a list of vacancies to the Urban League.
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In 1975, Trump settled, agreeing to familiarise himself with the Fair Housing Act
In 1973, the US Department of Justice sued Trump Management, Donald Trump, and his father, Fred Trump, for racial discrimination in housing. Testers from the New York City Human Rights Division found that prospective Black renters were told no apartments were available, while prospective White renters were offered accommodations in the same buildings. During the investigation, four of Trump's agents admitted to using a "C" (for "coloured") or "9" code to label Black applicants. These agents also stated that they were told their company "discouraged rental to Blacks" or that they were "not allowed to rent to Black tenants".
Three doormen testified to being instructed to discourage prospective Black renters by lying about rental prices or claiming no vacancies. Out of 3700 apartments, only seven were rented to Black families. In one instance, a Black and a White couple with identical financial backgrounds were sent to a Trump Management agent as prospective tenants. The White tester was offered an apartment, while the Black tester was denied. When the agent was confronted, he became furious and used racial slurs.
In 1975, Trump settled the lawsuit, agreeing to familiarise himself with the Fair Housing Act, take out ads stating that Black renters were welcome, provide a list of vacancies to the Urban League weekly, and allow the Urban League to present qualified candidates for 20% of vacancies in properties that were less than 10% non-White. Despite this settlement, Trump's company was sued again in 1978 for continuing to refuse to rent to Black tenants. In 1983, it was noted that two Trump Village properties were still over 95% White.
While some sources claim that Trump was not heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of Trump Management during the 1973 lawsuit, others assert that he was certainly around and became very vocal once the suit was brought up. The extent of Trump's direct involvement in these discriminatory practices is unclear, but as a settlement was reached, there was likely not enough evidence to definitively prove his personal culpability.
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In 1978, the Trump Organization was sued again for violating the 1975 settlement
In 1973, the US Department of Justice sued Trump Management, Donald Trump, and his father, Fred Trump, for racial discrimination against African Americans in their renting practices. Testers from the New York City Human Rights Division found that prospective Black renters were told no apartments were available, while prospective White renters were offered accommodations in the same buildings. During the investigation, four of Trump's agents admitted to using a "C" (for "colored") or "9" code to label Black applicants. These agents also stated that they were instructed not to rent to Black tenants. Three doormen testified to being told to discourage prospective Black renters by lying about rental prices or claiming no vacancies.
A settlement was reached in 1975, in which Trump agreed to familiarize himself with the Fair Housing Act, take out ads stating that Black renters were welcome, provide a list of vacancies to the Urban League weekly, and allow the Urban League to present qualified candidates for 20% of vacancies in properties that were less than 10% non-White. However, in 1978, the Trump Organization was sued again for violating the terms of this settlement by continuing to refuse to rent to Black tenants. Trump and his lawyer, Roy Cohn, denied the charges.
While the extent of Donald Trump's involvement in these discriminatory practices has been questioned, as he was still navigating his father's business at a young age, he was certainly around during this period. Additionally, Trump became very vocal once the suit was brought up, and during a coffee break in the deposition, he allegedly told the Justice Department lawyer, "You know, you don't want to live with them either."
This incident is not an isolated one, as Trump has faced other accusations of racial discrimination. From 2011 to 2016, he promoted the birther conspiracy theory, falsely claiming that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Additionally, as late as 2024, he continued to make racially charged statements in a criminal case, insisting on the guilt of the Central Park Five, a group of exonerated African American teenagers. These incidents, along with Trump's rhetoric and policies, have led to widespread perceptions of racism and contributed to a sharp decline in his approval ratings among Black voters.
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In 1983, two Trump Village properties were still over 95% White
In 1975, the Trump Organization was sued for refusing to rent to Black tenants. Trump and his lawyer, Roy Cohn, denied the charges. However, in 1978, the organization was sued again for violating the terms of the 1975 settlement by continuing to discriminate against Black tenants. Despite these legal challenges, an observation in 1983 by the Metropolitan Action Institute revealed that two Trump Village properties remained overwhelmingly White, with a composition of over 95% White tenants. This persistence of racial homogeneity in Trump's properties, even after facing legal consequences, raises questions about Trump's commitment to racial equality and his adherence to fair housing practices.
The racial composition of the Trump Village properties in 1983 is indicative of a broader pattern of racial bias within the Trump Organization's rental practices. The high proportion of White tenants, exceeding 95%, suggests that Black individuals were still being systematically discouraged or prevented from renting within these properties. This lack of racial diversity is concerning, especially considering the previous lawsuits accusing the Trump Organization of racial discrimination in rental practices.
The 1983 findings by the Metropolitan Action Institute highlight a failure to address racial discrimination within the Trump Organization, even after legal settlements. Despite being sued and legally compelled to change their rental practices, the Trump Organization's properties continued to exhibit stark racial disparities. This persistence of racial homogeneity suggests a systemic issue within the organization's rental policies and practices, as well as a lack of accountability for promoting racial equality.
The racial makeup of the Trump Village properties is particularly notable given the historical context of housing discrimination in the United States. The Civil Rights Movement and the passing of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 aimed to address racial segregation and discrimination in housing. However, the concentration of White tenants in Trump Village properties over a decade later demonstrates the ongoing challenges in ensuring equal housing opportunities for individuals of all races.
The high percentage of White tenants in Trump Village properties is a stark reminder of the enduring legacy of racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and enforcement of fair housing laws to create more inclusive and diverse communities. The 1983 findings serve as a critical reminder that the fight for racial equality in housing is ongoing, and that proactive measures and accountability are necessary to foster truly inclusive living environments.
Overall, the fact that two Trump Village properties were still over 95% White in 1983 raises serious concerns about the Trump Organization's commitment to racial equality and their compliance with fair housing practices. This racial homogeneity, observed even after legal challenges, suggests a systemic issue within the organization and underscores the ongoing struggle for racial equality in housing in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
In 1973, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Trump Management, Donald Trump, and his father Fred for housing discrimination against African Americans. Testers from the New York City Human Rights Division found that prospective Black renters were told no apartments were available, while prospective White renters were offered apartments in the same buildings. Four of Trump's agents admitted to using a "C" (for "colored") or "9" code to label Black applicants. Trump settled the suit in 1975, agreeing to familiarize himself with the Fair Housing Act and take out ads stating that Black renters were welcome.
While Trump was certainly around at the time and was very vocal once the suit was brought up, the extent of his involvement is questionable. Some sources claim that Trump was fairly young and still navigating his father's business, and it is likely that his father was holding the wheel.
The Trump Organization was sued again in 1978 for violating the terms of the 1975 settlement by continuing to refuse to rent to Black tenants. Trump and his lawyer, Roy Cohn, denied the charges. In 1983, the Metropolitan Action Institute noted that two Trump Village properties were still over 95% White.
