The Daily Dirt: Trump and real estate friends head to Jersey Shore

New York developers are raising money for Trump at the Jersey Shore this weekend. 

Shore towns have proven welcoming to the former president, in their own way. Shops along the Seaside Heights boardwalk wasted no time printing Trump’s face on shirts referencing the attempt on the former president’s life.

One features the Associated Press photo of Trump pumping his fist (a Jersey Shore tradition) right after he was struck, with the words “Legends Never Die.” Another says “Bulletproof” and features Trump’s face photoshopped on rapper 50 Cent’s body, a reference to a video game by that name.

Here you can buy a T-shirt that blares your presidential preference, or your love for “soccer moms.” You can pose with the iconic duck phone from the reality show “Jersey Shore” or spend all your money on skeeball at Lucky Leo’s.

Trump is no stranger to the Jersey Shore. In fact, he visited in May for a rally in Wildwood.

Wildwood and Seaside boardwalks tend to be what people picture of when they think of the Jersey Shore.

But the vibe in Deal, where Sunday’s fundraiser is taking place, is different. It’s a quiet borough full of mansions with private beach access. Less GTL (gym, tan, laundry), more grandeur, tranquility and luxury.

The Chera, Cayre and Adjmi families have long-standing ties to the hamlet. In fact, back in 2015, The Real Deal tracked down the number of properties in Deal owned by prominent Syrian Jewish real estate families and found 290, nearly a third of the town’s total.

Some of these families, including the Cheras, along with Joseph Cayre and Henry Adjmi, are hosting the fundraiser. Charles Kushner, Ben Ashkenazy, Joe Moinian, Steve Witkoff and John Catsimatidis are listed as co-hosts. Hosts pledged $500,000 each to Trump’s campaign, co-hosts $250,000, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Many of those involved in the fundraiser have known Trump for a long time. Witkoff said his support for the former president goes beyond real estate, and he hopes Trump will curb inflation and revamp foreign policy.

If Trump wins, industry professionals would once again have one of their own in the White House. Whether that translates to pro-industry policies or more access to powerful decision makers remains to be seen. Last time around, it was a bit of a mixed bag for the industry. Trump has said that he wants to expand and make permanent many of the tax cuts and policies approved as part of the tax law he signed in 2017, which expires at the end of 2025.

When Witkoff spoke to me on Friday, he had just come from Mar-a-Lago, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Trump. Witkoff also met Netanyahu, but would not discuss the meeting.

“It ought to be a productive fundraiser,” Witkoff said. “It’s people coming who believe we need a change, and are there to support President Trump and hopefully get him across the finish line.”

What we’re thinking about: Will the City Council approve a bill forcing hotel operators to obtain licenses? Send a note to kathryn@therealdeal.com.

A thing we’ve learned: Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado is home to more than 300 dinosaur tracks.

Elsewhere in New York…

—Two women were shot to death on Friday half a block from Gracie Mansion, the New York Times reports. Police believe the incident was a murder-suicide.

— Mayor Eric Adams wants weapon-detecting turnstiles at every subway station, Gothamist reports. Gun detection technology was installed at an undisclosed station this week, but experts say bringing the devices to all stations could create logistical and monitoring challenges in the city’s busy subways. Another system that seemed promising, ShotSpotter, has produced an enormous number of false alarms.

— The Post beat me to this, but: He’s movin’ out. Billy Joel played his 104th and final concert of his residency at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

CLOSING TIME

Residential: The priciest residential sale Friday was $18.5 million for 4,480-square-foot condominium unit PHA at 36 Bleecker Street in NoHo. Richard Ziegelasch of the Corcoran Group had the listing.

Commercial: The largest commercial sale of the day was $15.25 million for a 21,490-square-foot dormitory at 102 Greenwich Street in the Financial District. 

New to the Market: The highest price for a residential property hitting the market was $21.9 million for a 3,228-square-foot condominium at 157 West 57th Street in Midtown. Janice Chang and Timothy Hsu of Douglas Elliman have the listing.

— Matthew Elo