A detailed 1997 magazine profile of Donald Trump has resurfaced, revealing his longstanding ambition to construct skyscrapers in Moscow. The article's re-emergence coincides with the US president dispatching his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, on a high-stakes diplomatic mission to Russia, reigniting scrutiny of Trump's historical ties to the country.
‘Only quality stuff’: Trump’s 1990s Moscow Property Dreams
Journalist Mark Singer spent weeks shadowing the then-businessman for a New Yorker feature, offering an intimate look at his life and dealings. In one notable encounter, Trump met with Russian politician Aleksandr Ivanovich Lebed, a hopeful in the 1990s presidential race. Before discussing business, Trump showcased memorabilia including a shoe from basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal and a replica of Mike Tyson’s championship belt.
The conversation swiftly turned to expansion. Trump explicitly stated his company was ‘actually looking at something in Moscow right now’, specifying plans for ‘skyscrapers and hotels, not casinos’. He named potential projects like the Moskva Hotel and the vast Rossiya Hotel, claiming to be in talks with the Moscow mayor’s office. Lebed responded by calling Trump a ‘litmus testing paper’, suggesting that if he invested, ‘America will follow’.
Although these particular skyscraper deals never materialised, Trump maintained significant financial links to Russia. The profile notes that Russians were major investors in his properties, and he is alleged to have sought loans from Russian sources during financial difficulties.
Plane Rides, Royals, and a Giant Statue: The 1997 Chronicles
Singer’s observations from 1997 extend beyond real estate, painting a picture of Trump’s world through a series of now-notable vignettes. Aboard Trump’s Boeing jet during a trip to Mar-a-Lago, the passengers included Ghislaine Maxwell, described then as the daughter of publisher Robert Maxwell. Maxwell is now serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking girls for Jeffrey Epstein.
The article also contained a bizarre claim from a Trump Organisation spokesman that a member of the British Royal Family wished to buy a Trump Tower apartment. While unconfirmed, readers have since speculated this could refer to the scandal-plagued former Prince Andrew.
In another peculiar episode, Trump confirmed to a New York Times reporter plans for a monumental statue of Christopher Columbus, intended to be taller than the Statue of Liberty. He revealed the head was already in the US, with the body to be donated as a gift from the Russian government, facilitated by the mayor of Moscow.
Why This History Matters Now
The article has regained relevance as President Trump, now back in office, navigates multiple international crises. Yesterday, he sent special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—a real estate developer like himself—to meet with Vladimir Putin in an attempt to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Kushner’s involvement has drawn particular attention, given the parallels with Trump’s own past real estate overtures to Moscow. The 28-year-old profile provides a unique lens through which to view the current administration’s approach, suggesting long-standing personal and business interests that continue to intersect with geopolitics.
As Singer concluded in 1997, Trump appeared as ‘a fellow both slippery and naïve, artfully calculating and recklessly heedless of consequences’—a character assessment that many are re-evaluating in light of today’s headlines.
