News

You're not signed in
Sign in
Sign up

Trump blasts golf resort 'village idiot'

Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on defiant Menie Estate landowner Michael Forbes, calling him a 'loser' and a 'village idiot'.

24 November 2009 08:05 GMT

139473
Video will appear here shortly.

Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on a defiant landowner standing in the way of the tycoon’s £1billion golf resort.

The American billionaire branded farmer Michael Forbes a "loser" and compared his property to "a slum".

The blast came after Forbes’ 84-year-old mother, Molly Forbes, filed a legal challenge over the decision to grant planning permission on five 'parcels' of land.

Trump blasts golf resort 'village idiot'

Mr Trump called Mr Forbes a "village idiot" and described his property as a "disgusting blight on the community" and an "environmental hazard".
 
Molly Forbes, who lives in a static home next to her son's house on the Menie Estate, filed an interim interdict at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Monday to halt work at the 1400-acre golf resort.

Papers lodged with the court claim Aberdeenshire Council did not determine the planning applications correctly, and that Trump International Golf Links Scotland did not give enough information about why it now needs the land.

In a statement, released through Environmental Law Centre Scotland, Mrs Forbes said: "Mr Trump has been granted planning permission to demolish my home, but I do not wish to sell, and I do not wish to be forced out. My legal team will argue that Aberdeenshire Council have failed to follow correct procedures, and that the permissions granted therefore cannot stand."

Mrs Forbes, who has lived in her home on the Menie Estate for six years, added: "I never expected in my life to face eviction from my home, let alone for a golf course.”

However, hours later, Mr Trump delivered a venomous attack on Michael Forbes, accusing him of "exploiting" his mother.

Speaking from New York, the billionaire blasted: "It is tragic that an elderly woman is being exploited to further the personal vendetta of Michael Forbes and his few supporters.

"Over the years, my representatives and I have often seen Mr. Forbes and he has always been dirty, sloppy and unkempt in his personal appearance and demeanour. 

"While he is a terrible representative for Scotland, whenever the cameras are rolling, he parades in front of the press looking groomed and wearing a kilt - he truly enjoys the attention that he would have never received without Donald Trump. 

"In a recent television interview that was broadcast in the United States, Mr. Forbes made Scotland and its people look terrible.  He is a loser who is seriously damaging the image of both Aberdeenshire and his great country. 

"His property is a disgusting blight on the community and an environmental hazard, with leaking oil containers, rusted shacks and abandoned vehicles dumped everywhere.

"Instead of wasting the court's resources, he should spend time cleaning up his land so it does not look like a slum - and a low level slum at that!  Perhaps he thinks that by creating an 'eyesore' I will pay more for his land."

Mr Trump went on to say that the claims made against his project were "misguided and not based upon fact".

He added: "We will not be distracted by the rants of the local village idiot and intend to vigorously defend any challenge to our project."

The Trump Organisation began initial earth works and the planting of marram grass at the Aberdeenshire site last month.
 

Ads by Google

Share

There are 12 comments

You need to be logged in to comment.

Don't have a mySTV account? Create one now it's easy

  1. Default avatar

    1. 24 Nov 2009 10:36Shuggie007 said

    I believe 'another' application has been submitted to the Aberdeenshire Council to make the Bridge-of-Don into a town similar to Perth, how does this effect the 'Forbes and Co' stance? I think they should get a life and enjoy what is being made available to them and let others benifit from the investment proposed, Mr Forbes certainly looks like he needs the cash

    Report as unsuitable

  2. Avatar for wolfielonesomepine

    2. 24 Nov 2009 10:44wolfielonesomepine said

    Aberdeen City & Shire are about to feel the loss of business when the 'Oil' dries up. Donald comes along with his trousers, plans to build a great golf course that the City & Shire are going to reap benefits from. But stopping that Michael Forbes et al with their allegedly unmaintained land and buildings which blight the land. Donald offers to take on board the environment aspects of the land to enhance the wildlife and we have self-serving counselloers as well trying to scupper progress.

    I say then let Those oppose it come up with how they can improve the near future of our City & Shire, put your money where yopur mouth is and help the community.

    Report as unsuitable

  3. Default avatar

    3. 24 Nov 2009 11:07rebelsex said

    I cannot believe Scotland is not getting rid of that fool with that horrible haircut. Donald Trump is just a vampire who drains lands and people's lives as long as he can get rich. Michael Forbes should be an example of how money can't buy everything. I am with you Michael, keep it up.

    Report as unsuitable

  4. Default avatar

    4. 24 Nov 2009 14:12poshpaws said

    Well, doesn't Trump know how to make friends and influence people, lol .. even if he thinks someone IS "the village idiot" and "unkempt" it's hardly going to endear him to others to say so! He should confine himself to comments about the land state, or otherwise be polite!

    Report as unsuitable

  5. Default avatar

    5. 24 Nov 2009 16:19BIG JR said

    Has anyone noticed that Trump Jnr could walk straight on to a Holiwood re-make of "Bugsy Malone"!! Remember? The Maffia Guy who steamrolled everything in front of him to create Las Vegas!He wouldn,t even need a change of clothes, he,s dressed perfect for the part.

    Unfortunately, Bugsy left a few corpses along the way before his own demise!!

    Report as unsuitable

  6. Default avatar

    6. 24 Nov 2009 17:26aberdeenrules said

    I suppose it must be hard for Mr Trump - he's gone his whole life getting everything he wants so when somebody stands up to him, all he can do is resort to the behaviour of an 8-year old and start calling people names.

    As for those who think he is doing this for the benefit of Aberdeen and the Shire - I suggest you watch the American Apprentice on BBC One at the moment - you'll see just how altruistic Mr Trump really is.

    Where's Selina Scott when you need her...? :)

    Report as unsuitable

  7. Default avatar

    7. 24 Nov 2009 18:23~Stunned said

    what a Joke Mr Trump! you obviously have not visited many island and mainland crofts! to me this is a typical looking croft, He should google the western isles and northern scotland and see how typical it is. They go about their business and as long as they are breaking no laws why should they conform to how others think they should live! Is it not their own property? If so who are you to tell them how they should live. I thought our grandparents fought world wars so that we could be a free country with free views and speech. No one would know of this family if it were not for the fact that Mr Trump thinks he can obtain a property which does not belong to him. The only Idiot I see before me on this story is Mr Trump who is bullying a family into selling a property they do not wish to sell and if I lived there I would be fighting to keep it too.. Good luck to the Forbes Family.

    Report as unsuitable

  8. Default avatar

    8. 24 Nov 2009 19:10Torricelli said

    Weather or not Mr Forbes looks like the village idiot, this is his land and if he wishes to remain in it, then that is his choice and he should be allowed to stay.

    Mr Trump is the last person to be remarking on anyone's appearance, has he looked in the mirror recently, or does he only see dollar ($$) signs.

    He may be able to afford to buy Alex Salmond and the Aberdeen council, but he obviously can not afford to buy Mr Forbes or his mother, good luck to them both.

    Report as unsuitable

  9. Default avatar

    9. 24 Nov 2009 19:25snowshoe2 said

    I am fully in support with my brother and mother, Trump does not care about the people that he wants out of their homes, as many people say " This is the higland land clearances all over again" except this is 2009,what's the difference???? this is shocking how the Shire Council have been underhanded, I thought that the Councils were for the people in their ward not the RICH people from other countries, it is them that are exploiting NOT my brother, this has nothing to do with Michael, my Mother can certainly talk for herself, she does not need anyone else to do that for her, and I will tell you all, Michael is no idiot, plus, have any people ever ever seen an imaculate farm, coz I aint.

    Report as unsuitable

  10. Default avatar

    10. 01 Dec 2009 18:19lolh54 said

    OMG this is still ongoing.. leave these people alone.. It is their land.. their home.. and yes I also saw the film of the son.. hmmmm .. so they always win.. no one stands against them.. they win every time.. what does that tell you?.. he was so arrogant.. I do not know the guy, but the way he was on that footage I dont want to .. smug .. rich and walking over people in their way..have we heard this before?

    Report as unsuitable

  11. Default avatar

    11. 01 Dec 2009 18:22lolh54 said

    Oh by the way I had posted before saying that yes they probably saw Mr Forbes in his work clothes and then dressed for the cameras.. well why not we all have our pride!

    Report as unsuitable

  12. Default avatar

    12. 12 Mar 2010 16:04moth said

    Mr Trump should go back to the states where he is a big noise! He could make a golf course anywhere in the states where there is one of the dreadful 'trailer parks' ,filled with 'white trash' and benefit his own country and leave Scotland alone. What the hell does Trump know about Scottish farming and scottish life. What an arrogant man with a ridiculous hair comb-over. GO HOME YANK!

    Report as unsuitable

You need to be logged in to comment.

sign in

Don't have a mySTV account? Create one now it's easy

Posts are not actively monitored by STV. The views expressed are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of STV.

Watch now

Video