State Watch

Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino demolished in Atlantic City

Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino
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The building formerly known as the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino was demolished Wednesday in Atlantic City, N.J., with spectators gathering to watch from several angles.

Closed in 2014, the skyscraper was acquired out of bankruptcy court by billionaire Carl Icahn in 2016.

In video posted on Twitter by various users, a series of small blasts are heard before the building collapsed Wednesday morning in a pile of rubble.

From at least one angle, a crowd of spectators could be heard talking with each other before cheering after the destruction occurred.

The hotel and casino was first opened in 1984 and became a haven for celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Mick Jagger and Oprah Winfrey, the casino’s former events manager told NBC News.

Former President Trump ceased direct ownership of the property in 2009 as part of bankruptcy filings, though his name remained on the building for some time after.

“You had Madonna and Sean Penn walking in, Barbra Streisand and Don Johnson, Muhammad Ali would be there, Oprah sitting with Donald ringside,” Bernie Dillon, the former events manager for the casino, told the news station. “It was a special time. I’m sorry to see it go.” 

Tags Atlantic City Barbra Streisand Carl Icahn Donald Trump Donald Trump New Jersey Oprah Winfrey

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