In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump‘s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.
Why has the condo remained unsold for years?
After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the
Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby’s, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump’s company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.
The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with “lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,” the two-bedroom apartment has “sweeping views of Central Park.”
It’s unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump’s real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization’s “outside ethics adviser,” didn’t either.
How much commission could Trump’s firm potentially earn?
Although it’s not the president’s most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump’s most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a “luxury portfolio” comprised of “exclusive listings.” Trump’s children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.
The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It’s unknown who the person or people behind that business are.
Although a real estate company’s commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller’s commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps’ real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche’s apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It’s unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.
How are Trump’s business ties influencing his presidency?
The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.
The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche’s total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.
Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.
