Eric and his family are also credited with the creation of Trump Hotels, one of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands. Established in 2006, Trump Hotels features nine properties throughout the world in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Miami, Ireland, Virginia, and Scotland. Under Eric’s leadership, Trump Hotels have garnered tremendous accolades throughout the portfolio, including the coveted “Forbes Travel Guide” and “Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice”.
Eric is also responsible for the expansion and operation of Trump International Realty, the Mar-a-Lago Club, estate properties such as Le Chateau des Palmiers in St. Marten, and other commercial assets and ventures. Separately, Eric actively pursues independent business ventures and opportunities, including the Trump Winery, the largest vineyard on the East Coast of the United States and a leading manufacturer of award-winning wines, based in Charlottesville, VA. In 2013, Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded Eric with its “Rising Star of the Year'' Award, one of the most prestigious honors within the wine community.
In 2022, under Eric’s leadership the Trump Organization consummated the sale of Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C. The record-breaking sale marked the highest price per key ever achieved in Washington, D.C., the highest price per key in the United States history for a leasehold interest, AND the largest sale of a history hotel in over 15 years. Additionally, it marked one of the highest prices ever paid for a luxury urban hotel in the United States. As a result of these historic accomplishments, The Americans Lodging Investment Summit named this “Hotel Transaction of the Year” in excess of $25 million.
With Eric at the helm, Trump Golf signed an outstanding partnership with LIV Golf, bringing 2 tournaments to the portfolio in 2022 and five tournaments total in 2023, with 3 LIV tournaments in Washington, D.C, Bedminster and Doral, the women’s Aramco tournament in West Palm Beach and the Senior European PGA “Legends Tour” at Trump Scotland.
In 2023, the Trump Organization is continuing its expansion in the Middle East with the signing of Trump International, Oman - a spectacular hotel and golf resort overlooking the stunning Gulf of Oman. Under Eric’s leadership, the company’s hospitality assets continue to shatter records and achieve tremendous accolades, including the Forbes # 1 Hotel in the Midwest for Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago, Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster named Golfweek’s “Best Private Course”, Trump Ferry Point named Golf Week’s “Best Public Course”, Trump National Doral named Golfweek’s “Best Courses you can Play”, Trump Scotland named Golf Digest’s World’s “100 Greatest Golf Courses”, Trump Doonbeg named “Top Course in Great Britain and Ireland” by Golfweek, Trump Turnberry named Golf Inc’s #1 “Redevelopment of the Year” and Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Course in the world”, Trump Winery receiving Gold Medals and “Best in Class” at the San Francisco Wine Festival, beating nearly 1,000 wineries, and many more.
In 2012, Eric was named Forbes’ “30 under 30” for his leadership in real estate and remains a respected authority in the business sector and a highly sought-after speaker delivering keynote addresses at many high-profile real estate and business conferences worldwide. He appeared regularly as an advisor on NBC’s hit television series, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” as well as Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, CNBC and many other networks around the world.
In addition to his love of real estate and passion for construction, Eric has worked tirelessly since the age of 21 to fight against pediatric cancer, having raised over $30 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, including the funding of a state-of-the-art surgical ICU which opened in his name in February 2015.
Eric graduated with honors from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a degree in Finance and Management. He resides with his wife, Lara, son, Luke; daughter, Carolina and their dogs, Charlie & Ben, in Florida.