Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Aug 8: Three years after US President Donald Trump buried his first wife, Ivana Trump, on the grounds of his Bedminster golf course in New Jersey, the unusual move is back in the spotlight — this time for its potential tax advantages.
Ivana, who passed away in July 2022 at the age of 73 after a fall in her Manhattan home, was laid to rest with little fanfare on the 525-acre Trump National Golf Course — no headstone, no flowers, and no public memorial, unlike traditional gravesites.
The decision, which initially drew curiosity, is now being viewed by many as a calculated financial strategy. According to New Jersey’s tax code, land used for cemeteries is exempt from a wide range of taxes — including real estate, income, sales, and inheritance taxes. By designating even a small portion of the land as a cemetery, Trump could potentially shield the entire property from taxation.
A viral Instagram post reignited the controversy, claiming, “Why did Donald Trump bury his ex-wife on a golf course? It wasn’t grief. It was a strategy.” The post alleged that by registering the land as a nonprofit cemetery with just one grave, Trump may have turned the sprawling golf property into a tax-exempt zone, saving millions.
The post further pointed out, “The first hole now sits beside a legal loophole. 150 feet from the clubhouse.”
Though critics question the motives behind the burial site, Trump has publicly denied any financial motives. Speaking to Page Six, he said, “This is such beautiful land, and Bedminster is one of the richest places in the country.”
According to ProPublica, the Trump Family Trust had earlier applied to register a nonprofit cemetery near Hackettstown, 20 miles from Bedminster. Trump had also indicated his wish to be buried at Bedminster, calling it his favourite property, as reported by The Washington Post.
While Trump’s team has dismissed the tax loophole allegations, legal experts and watchdogs continue to scrutinise the arrangement as yet another example of the former president’s controversial blending of personal affairs and financial strategy.