A Trump Tower planned for the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, is to be built on land currently part-owned by the son of the US-sanctioned leader of the country, according to official records.
Land Ownership and Sanctions
The proposed skyscraper, a joint venture between a local consortium and the Trump Organization managed by Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, will be on a plot whose current registered owner is the International Charity Fund Cartu. Official records show that Fund Cartu is solely owned by Cartu Group JSC, which is 35% owned by Uta Ivanishvili, the eldest son of Bidzina Ivanishvili. Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire politician and honorary chair of Georgia's ruling party, was put under US sanctions in 2024 for undermining Georgia's democratic future for Russia's benefit. Uta Ivanishvili owned 100% of Cartu Group JSC until 2024 but reduced his share to 35% after his father was sanctioned. The remaining 65% ownership is unclear as individual holdings under 5% can be anonymous.
Conflict of Interest Concerns
The links between the Trump Organization and the Ivanishvili family raise fresh concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Similar franchise agreements include a luxury hotel and golf course in Oman on government-owned land. The White House has stated that neither the president nor his family have ever engaged in conflicts of interest. Eric Trump said the company was proud to bring excellence to Georgia and collaborate with respected developers.
Project Details
Four Georgian firms—Archi Group, Biograpi Living, Blox Group, and Finvest Georgia—along with the US-based Sapir Organization are partnering with the Trump Organization to build Georgia's tallest building. Archi Group's founder Ilia Tsulaia previously served as an MP for the Georgian Dream party. The central Tbilisi plot, an old Soviet horse-racing track, is owned by Cartu but an agreement was reached in 2023 for sale to Central Park Avenue LLC. Only a small portion has been transferred so far.
Political Implications
Bidzina Ivanishvili's critics see the Trump Tower project as an attempt to ingratiate himself with the US president. Georgian Dream leaders have hailed it as a vote of confidence in Georgia's economy. Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili said Trump's company entering Georgia shows understanding of the environment. Sandro Kevkhishvili of Transparency International Georgia said there are grounds for concern that the project is political, citing the involvement of a businessman affiliated with Georgian Dream, the land ownership by Cartu Fund linked to Ivanishvili, and propaganda channels presenting the deal as a political victory.
