MIAMI — Renderings are offering a glimpse at what could become the future home of the Trump Presidential Library in the heart of downtown Miami.
The proposed project would be built on land turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation through a transfer involving the state of Florida and Miami-Dade College.
“The problem here is not the library,” attorney Gerald Greenberg said. “The problem here is your personal business for personal gain, and that’s unlawful.”
Greenberg is representing the group challenging the deal in court.
The lawsuit argues the land transfer violates the Domestic Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
“The domestic emoluments clause says this president can’t get gifts from states,” Greenberg said. “This is a quintessential gift from a state. Miami-Dade College transferred the land to the state of Florida and the state of Florida transferred the land to the President.”
The property, located steps away from Miami’s Freedom Tower, has been valued at around $67 million.
But the plaintiffs argue the land could be worth significantly more.
The lawsuit also points to comments made by President Donald Trump suggesting the development could generate private profits.
“It’s going to most likely be a hotel,” Trump said. “Could be an office, but it’s most likely going to be a hotel with a beautiful building underneath and a 747 Air Force One in the lobby, which is going to be a trick.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis, appearing in Miami on Friday, praised the proposal as a potential boost for education, tourism and culture in South Florida.
“It would be the first presidential library to be associated with a state college,” DeSantis said.
He also pushed back on claims that the former president would personally benefit financially.
“I don’t really know what the lawsuit would be,” DeSantis said. “I mean it’s a foundation that is going to be running this. They’re trying to say it would be a personal benefit to the president; I don’t know that that’s how these things typically end up being. But I know for us, we view it as a good opportunity for education and culture and I’m really excited to have Miami-Dade College involved in that.”
🏠 News From Your Neighborhood
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
