Trump Bedminster bashes authorities after it is flagged for 18 health violations

Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey is bashing local health authorities after it was flagged for 18 health violations following an early May inspection.

The Somerset County Department of Health in its food inspection report from May 6 faulted the club, saying there was not proper separation of raw meats from ready-to-eat foods, which made products susceptible to contamination.

It also noted that food contact surfaces were not properly cleaned and sanitized.  

The club argued the health report was politically motivated.

“Never before have we witnessed such visceral hostility from the health department. This is clearly nothing more than a politically motivated attack,” David Schutzenhofer, general manager of Trump National Bedminster, said in a statement to The Hill.

“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 added.

The inspector on site gave the location a C rating, flagging its operations as conditionally satisfactory in addition to a labeling the food establishment under its risk 4 category. 

“At the time of the inspection the establishment was found not to be operating in substantial compliance with this chapter and was in violation of one or more provisions of this chapter,” the report says. 

However, Forbes, which first reported the health violations, said a follow-up inspection was conducted three hours after its Tuesday article published. Upon the completion of reinspection, the club earned a B grade, but six violations remained including two categorized as critical, the outlet reported. 

Earnings from the club are deposited in the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, of which the president is the sole benefactor.