Legal Fight Continues In Move To Dump Trump On UWS: Reports

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — An Upper West Side condominium that wants to rid itself of President Donald Trump's name is ramping up its legal fight against the Trump Organization, according to reports.

The building, 200 Riverside Boulevard, claims that a decades-old licencing agreement with the Trump Organization allows itself to use the president's name, but does not require it to do so, Washington Post reporter and noted Trump-chronicler David Fahrenthold reported.

The 48-story residential building — known as Trump Place — originally entered a licensing deal with Trump in 2000. Unlike many Trump-branded buildings, 200 Riverside is not owned by the Trump Organization. Three of 200 Riverside's neighbors — 140, 160 and 180 Riverside Boulevard — removed Trump's name from their buildings in 2016 after more than 600 residents signed a petition saying they were embarrassed to live in a building with Trump's name.

Unlike with 140, 160 and 180 Riverside, the Trump Organization is pushing back hard on 200 Riverside's attempt to rid itself of the Trump name, Fahrenthold reported. When the building's board was first considering the name change, Trump Organization lawyers sent a letter warning to sue. In recent proceedings, the Trump Organization has asked the building to identify every single building resident that has raised concerns about the Trump name, Fahrenthold reported. When the building's residents were polled, 63 percent (158 residents) voted in favor of removing the name, Fahrenthold reported.

Dondald Trump's son, Eric Trump, sent Fahrenthold a statement explaining the decision to challenge 200 Riverside.

"There are hundreds of residents who purchased property in 200 Riverside Boulevard because of the name and world class service that it has consistently delivered on since day one," Trump's statement read.

Fahrenthold arrived in New York City to cover a court hearing regarding the legal challenge Tuesday, but the hearing was postponed until May 3.

Read Fahrenthold's full thread of tweets explaining the legal fight, and Trump's full statement, here.

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