Trump Revealed: on Environment

2008: pushed Scotland golf course despite enviro fragility

Trump landed in Aberdeen, greeted by a bagpiper and a swarm of reporters. Some thought it odd that Trump kept referring to himself as being not Scottish but "Scotch," like the whisky; still, most local officials did what they could to smooth the way toward approval.

The public inquiry started in June 2008. Trump claimed to know more about the environment than his consultants did, though he admitted he had not read their reports. "You can only read so much," he said. He promised to preserve the dunes, but when the councilor who had cast the deciding vote against his permit accused Trump of failing to understand the property's environmental fragility, Trump snapped back, "Nobody has ever told me that I don't know how to buy property before. You're the first one. I have done very well buying property. Thanks for the advice."