DONALD Trump has spectacularly blown his top over a Scottish documentary about his troubled attempt to build a luxury golf resort in Aberdeenshire.
The tycoon’s right-hand man branded the work of Angus film-maker Anthony Baxter as “nothing more than a feeble and pathetic attempt to make money by exploiting the Trump name”.
George Sorial, the executive vice president and counsel of the Trump Organisation, claimed You’ve Been Trumped was “factually challenged”.
You’ve Been Trumped follows the battle to get planning permission for the resort on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire. The project has been put on hold by Mr Trump who has said he may pull the plug if planners give permission for a nearby windfarm.
It is currently sold-out at festivals across the US and picked up its eighth international award when it scooped the Jury Prize at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, California.
But Mr Soriel hit back, saying: “Anthony Baxter’s film is a complete misrepresentation of the facts surrounding our golf and leisure project in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
“Mr Baxter himself is not a credible source of information and it’s common knowledge that he has breached US copyright laws to produce this film, which is nothing more than a feeble and pathetic attempt to make money by exploiting the Trump name. Our project is broadly supported by the local people, the business community and the political leadership.
Accolades
“This one-sided and factually challenged film presents the myopic views of a very small fringe element that are not respected and are widely regarded as a national embarrassment for Scotland.
“During these challenging economic times, our project has employed hundreds, provided tens of millions in investment for the region and will serve as an anchor for future economic growth and tourism.
“In addition to earning the immediate accolades from the global golf community, our work on the championship golf course has been applauded by the Ecological Clerk of Works and the Menie Environmental Management Advisory Group, whose membership represents Scotland’s leading environmental protection groups.”
The documentary follows several local residents and environmentalists as they battle the billionaire. It argues that Trump is wrong to build the resort on one of Europe’s most environmentally sensitive stretches of coast, described by one leading scientist as Scotland’s Amazon rain forest.
TV talk show host, and Trump nemesis, Rosie O’Donnell had previously praised the film, calling it “amazing”. Mr Baxter appeared on O’Donnell’s show following the film’s Chicago premiere last week, prompting Mr Sorial to hit back.
On the show, an unabashed Mr Baxter told O’Donnell that he was taking credit for the announcement last week that Trump is on the brink of halting the housing development, hotel and second golf course.
Mr Baxter, who has previously claimed that he faced widespread opposition from Scottish officialdom while making the film, was not available for comment today.
