BY SUZETTE PARMLEY INQUIRER STAFF WRITER ATLANTIC CITY — As his image flashed on video screens in his casino’s nightclub recently, Donald J. Trump surveyed the mostly young crowd. Many were too young to remember his history of financial difficulties here, or to care. They came to celebrate with The Donald on his 61st birthday at his flagship casino, the Trump Taj Mahal, and he relished the attention.With his gambling halls still struggling and his casino company reviewing bids from possible
buyers, this could be the end of the show for Trump in Atlantic City. People familiar with negotiations to sell his casino company — Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. — say a sale could be announced this week.
The developer and reality TV star said that, regardless of who buys his casinos, he hopes he won’t be taking his final bow in Atlantic City. It would be difficult, he said, to walk away from the resort where he has been a fixture for 26 years.
Trump is banking that his famous name and brand will stay on at least one of the casinos, and that the new owner will have a role for him, even if it’s just to make an occasional appearance.”Any potential buyer wants me involved,” he said. “The name is the hottest name right now anywhere in the world.”
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RELATED: ATLANTIC CITY – Bright flames and thick smoke billowed from the famed Boardwalk yesterday afternoon, destroying about a half-dozen stores and damaging offices of the state Casino Control Commission.
[artwork via CHRIS ROMMEL]