Serbian cultural preservationists have raised alarms over a Trump-branded hotel and apartment complex in the capital, culminating in resignations and a criminal inquiry into local officials involved in the project.
A Controversial Trump Hotel Project Sparks Resignations and Legal Action in Serbia

A Controversial Trump Hotel Project Sparks Resignations and Legal Action in Serbia
Jared Kushner's grand hotel construction plan in Belgrade faces backlash from preservationists, leading to resignations and a criminal investigation.
Over the past year, the Trump family has been busy securing international real estate developments, raising numerous ethical issues in the process. However, the project in question stands out for its far-reaching ramifications, as it has triggered a publicly declared criminal investigation in Serbia. This scrutiny follows the relentless efforts of local preservationists who have objected to a controversial deal made by President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to erect a $500 million hotel and residential complex in the heart of Belgrade.
The site for this ambitious project is a historically significant building, remnants of a bombed structure that symbolizes the suffering of the Serbian nation during the 1999 conflict. In an apparent facilitation of the hotel plans, the Serbian government reclassified the site's status shortly after Trump won re-election, declaring it was no longer culturally protected, thus clearing legal hurdles for the development.
Architects and cultural historians from the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments swiftly condemned this decision, asserting it contravened Serbian law. Many voiced concerns about political pressure prevailing over cultural integrity in the decision to revoke the site's protective status. Estela Radonjic Zivkov, the former deputy director of the institute, noted intimidation from state intelligence officers aimed at silencing dissent regarding the government's choice. Regardless, Zivkov and her colleagues have remained committed to spotlighting these ethical discrepancies, despite the potential consequences they face.
The site for this ambitious project is a historically significant building, remnants of a bombed structure that symbolizes the suffering of the Serbian nation during the 1999 conflict. In an apparent facilitation of the hotel plans, the Serbian government reclassified the site's status shortly after Trump won re-election, declaring it was no longer culturally protected, thus clearing legal hurdles for the development.
Architects and cultural historians from the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments swiftly condemned this decision, asserting it contravened Serbian law. Many voiced concerns about political pressure prevailing over cultural integrity in the decision to revoke the site's protective status. Estela Radonjic Zivkov, the former deputy director of the institute, noted intimidation from state intelligence officers aimed at silencing dissent regarding the government's choice. Regardless, Zivkov and her colleagues have remained committed to spotlighting these ethical discrepancies, despite the potential consequences they face.