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The basics:
NJ extends temporary liquor permits for Trump’s Bedminster, Colts Neck clubs
However, Trump Organization barred from profiting from alcohol sales
State reviewing license eligibility after Trump felony conviction
Although liquor license renewals at two of President Donald Trump’s golf clubs in New Jersey remain under review due to his felony conviction, state regulators recently opted to extend temporary authorization permits for the properties through the end of the year.
However, as part of special conditions associated with the TAPs at Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck and Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office said the Trump Organization is barred from touching any proceeds from liquor sales.
Under the terms of the six-month permits issued June 30, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is requiring that money be held separately from other proceeds of the licensees’ business. The ABC is also mandating that those funds are not distributed to corporate members of the LLCs that own the licenses.
Additionally, the state gave the Trump Organization until Sept. 30 to provide ABC officials with details on “the corporate structure, ownership and beneficiary interests” behind the licenses. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth may result in the cancellation of the TAPs, according to officials.
A spokesperson from the AG’s office said, “The special conditions imposed by the Division are consistent with the Division’s obligation to ensure that all liquor licensees comply with the law. By statute, the Division is charged with maintaining the integrity of New Jersey’s alcoholic beverage industry. New Jersey statutes state that profiting from a liquor license is a privilege, not a right granted by law.”
The spokesperson added that the measures aim to “to facilitate the Division’s review in ensuring that all licensees comply with the law.”
What’s at issue
The move comes a year after the AG’s office first confirmed it was looking into whether the May 2024 outcome of the New York hush money case made Trump ineligible to hold liquor licenses at his golf courses in New Jersey.
The state prohibits anyone convicted of a “crime involving moral turpitude” from possessing a liquor license.
At issue is whether Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 payment to an adult film star violates New Jersey law.
President Donald Trump talks to members of the press along the South Lawn driveway Sept. 24, 2020, before boarding Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews. – WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY TIA DUFOUR
According to the ABC, a review of the matter indicated that even though the licenses are in the name of his son, Donald Trump Jr., the president-elect “maintains a direct beneficial interest.” The division said that Trump was the sole beneficiary of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust and therefore the “recipient of revenues and profits from them.”
Overseen by Donald Trump Jr., the trust is an umbrella entity that owns the Trump Organization. Before taking office in January 2017, Donald Trump reportedly filed an ownership change for Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck, Lamington Farm Club and Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia as part of a broader strategy to move most of his business interests to the trust.
As a result, the ABC did not renew licenses associated with the properties in Colts Neck and Bedminster when they expired June 30, 2024. However, the state did grant both locations temporary permits that allow the properties to continue serving alcohol until a hearing on the renewals occurs.
Without the latest extension, the licenses at the clubs would have expired outright June 30, 2025. Now, the liquor can keep flowing until Dec. 31, 2025, according the AG’s office.
What’s in a name?
When the state first said it was examining whether to take action against the licenses, the Trump Organization said the review does not apply to Donald Trump because the permits are not in the names of corporate entities for which he is an officer or director.
A spokesperson for the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Christopher Porrino, partner and chair of the Litigation Department at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, is representing the Trump Organization.
The LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster is held at Trump National Golf Club. – PROVIDED BY LIV GOLF
In a recent statement to Forbes, the company said it was “pleased with this latest extension of our licenses” and “look forward to working cooperatively with the ABC to ensure that our valued members and guests continue to enjoy the finest services and amenities at our world-renowned clubs.”
At Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia in Pine Hill, the liquor license has been renewed by the borough. In Pine Hill, local officials wield independent authority to issue plenary retail consumption licenses.
Teeing up
During license-revocation hearings, applicants must demonstrate that they remain qualified to maintain licensure. The proceedings also include a review of any beneficiaries of the licenses, according to the AG’s office.
Originally, the ABC planned to hold a hearing on the matter in July 2024 just after Trump’s scheduled sentencing in New York. After the first postponement, the AG’s office said any decisions regarding the liquor license issue would not be entered until after his sentencing.
The special conditions imposed by the Division are consistent with the Division’s obligation to ensure that all liquor licensees comply with the law.
– New Jersey Attorney General’s Office
Though Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, the judge overseeing the case issued an “unconditional discharge” in January 2025. So, while that did not erase the jury verdict, Trump received no jail time, fines or probation.
When the judge made his decision days before Trump was inaugurated as president, he cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling that presidents and former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts in office. Trump’s legal team has since filed an appeal seeking to wipe out the conviction.
‘Politically motivated attack’
The AG office’s move to offer extensions to Trump’s properties comes in the wake of nearly two dozen health code violations being issued at the Bedminster club.
Following a May visit to the Trump National Golf Club, the Somerset County Department of Health gave the establishment a score of 32 out of 100 and issued a “conditionally satisfactory” C grade.
According to the initial retail food inspection report, nine of the 18 violations were considered critical issues that could pose a serious health risk. Inspectors said the facility was not compliant with many rules regarding how food should be protected from contamination, such as expired milk in refrigerators and improperly stored raw meat. These problems were corrected on site, the report showed.
The health department said it found dishwashers did not reach the required temperature of 170 degrees for proper sanitation. Officials also cited four separate handwashing violations, including sinks without soap or paper towels, one lacking a required sign and another used to store a sanitizer bucket.
Additionally, inspectors observed a “household” microwave in the main kitchen when only “commercial grade equipment” should be in use onsite, the report said. The club was given 14 days to fix all violations and pay a re-inspection fee.
After a reinspection in June, the club earned a B grade with a score of 86. The mark is the lowest possible score to still receive that grade.
In a statement at the time to NJBIZ, David Schutzenhofer, the property’s general manager, described the matter as “clearly nothing more than a politically motivated attack.”
“We operate one of the most immaculate golf facilities in the country, and we take immense pride in our standards of cleanliness, safety, and hospitality,” he said.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:27 a.m. EST Aug. 29, 2025, to note the Trump Organization’s legal representation.
