Trump Beats Wine Bar's Suit Over Competition From His Hotel
- Washington bar said president’s hotel has unfair advantage
- Judge says Trump may benefit from his ‘heightened notoriety’
Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Photographer: Zach Gibson/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
President Donald Trump defeated a lawsuit by a Washington wine bar that alleged that the opening of his Trump International Hotel in 2016 decimated its business by luring foreigners, fundraisers and lobbyists away from the bar.
Cork Wine Bar alleged that it lost customers because they felt compelled to drink, eat and hold events at the president’s hotel, which is located about 1 1/2 miles away. Trump had argued that he can’t be sued while serving as president and is protected by the U.S. Constitution from claims under the District of Columbia’s unfair-competition law.