Above video: President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Joint Press Conference
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida officials on Tuesday decided to set aside a near three acres of major Miami property next to the Historic Freedom Tower as a potential location for President Donald Trump’s future presidential library.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida cabinet voted to give a parcel that would give more than $66 million to the foundations that are planning to archive the president’s post-political archives, claiming that the property owned by President Miami-Dade University would provide “more profits” to “increase economic development activities” as Trump’s library.
It was the latest demonstration of Trump loyalty by top Florida Republicans, and he moved the heart of his political universe to his adopted hometown.
The property is adjacent to a glorious condo in iconic stretches on palm-lined Biscayne Boulevard overlooking the Waterfront Park across from the Basketball Arena, home to the Miami Heat. Miami-Dade College is used as a parking lot for employees.
Under the state constitution, the gift of property in a particular state requires approval by a collective decision-making body consisting of the Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Agriculture Commissioner and the Governor.
With Tuesday’s transport, the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation will manage the developer’s dream property. The foundation is led by three councillors: Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump’s husband Michael Boulos, and Trump’s lawyer James Killie.
“This will be the greatest presidential library of all time to honor a great president,” Eric Trump said in a social media post.
The site is also adjacent to Freedom Tower, the historic Spanish revival building that housed one of Miami’s first newspapers. It is now run by the university as a museum and is considered a symbol of the city’s vibrant immigrant heritage.
Landmark Tower is also the site of recent protests against Trump’s crackdown on immigrants. Cuban Americans who dominate politics in Miami voted overwhelmingly for Trump. However, his massive deportation agenda is increasingly seen as betrayal, leaving many to give their support.
Locations associated with Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and Florida International University, outside Miami, previously floated as potential library sites. DeSantis was signing a bill this year to prevent local governments from obstructing the development of presidential libraries, aiming to overturn potential opposition from liberal counties or municipalities.
