Trump Tower Belgrade: A Luxury Resort Rises From the Rubble of History – Breaking News
Belgrade, Serbia – November 8, 2025 – A controversial deal has been finalized to construct a massive Trump Tower in the heart of Belgrade, Serbia, sparking outrage among opposition groups and nationalists who view the project as a betrayal of national history. The $500 million development, spearheaded by Donald Trump’s organization and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, will replace the Generalštab, a historic military headquarters bombed during the 1999 NATO intervention. This is a developing story, and archyde.com is providing up-to-the-minute coverage.
Artist’s rendering of the proposed Trump Tower Belgrade, set to replace the historic Generalštab.
From Anti-American Symbol to Luxury Destination
The Generalštab building, a modernist masterpiece dating back to 1956, has long been a potent symbol of Serbian resistance and a stark reminder of the country’s complex relationship with the United States. Its destruction to make way for a 175-room Trump Hotel and 1,500 ultra-luxury apartments has ignited a firestorm of criticism. “We are selling off our history to replace it with casinos and jacuzzis,” declared a spokesperson for the Serbian opposition, echoing the sentiments of many who fear the loss of a crucial piece of national identity.
President Vucic defends the project as a necessary step to strengthen ties with the US, particularly as the country’s only refinery faces sanctions and requires a “dispensation” similar to those granted by the White House to Hungary. However, critics argue that the deal represents a capitulation to foreign interests and a disregard for Serbian heritage. The building, once considered “an example of American arrogance,” is now being dismantled with the blessing of the very government that once viewed it as a symbol of defiance.
A Family Affair: Kushner and Pascale’s Involvement
The deal extends far beyond a simple real estate transaction. Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, through his firm Affinity Global Development, will oversee the construction. Adding another layer of complexity, Brad Pascale, a strategist for Trump’s presidential campaigns and a consultant for Vucic’s 2022 re-election, facilitated the negotiations. Remarkably, Donald Trump Jr.’s recent trip to Belgrade, where the agreement was signed, was reportedly funded by Pascale himself. During the visit, Trump Jr. publicly voiced support for Vucic’s government, which is currently facing accusations of corruption and widespread protests.
The arrangement has drawn comparisons to the scrutiny faced by Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, with critics pointing to potential conflicts of interest. “The young Donald came to Belgrade to lend a hand to Vucic,” stated Dragan Jonic, an opposition parliamentarian. “Because Vucic was trying to stay in the saddle. And because the Trumps wanted to keep their business going.”
Echoes of the Past and a Balkan Dubai?
This isn’t the first time Serbia has been a target for Trump’s real estate ambitions. Interest in the market dates back to 2013, before his first presidential run. Previous investigations into potential abuse of power were reportedly unsuccessful, and regulatory hurdles were overcome through a special law passed by the Serbian Parliament. The project envisions transforming Belgrade into a “Balkan Dubai,” a glittering hub of luxury and investment. However, the cost – both historical and potentially political – remains a significant point of contention.
The deal includes a 99-year lease and will grant the Serbian government 22% of the profits. A small memorial will be erected to commemorate the victims of the 1999 bombing, a concession that does little to appease those who believe the entire building should be preserved. Nationalists, some of whom previously supported Vucic, have now branded him a traitor, questioning whether Trump would “sell West Point Academy to a real estate company?”
As bulldozers prepare to demolish the Generalštab, a protest banner hangs defiantly: “Let’s save our history.” The future of this landmark, and the broader implications for Serbia’s identity and relationship with the West, hang in the balance. This story is a stark reminder of the complex interplay between politics, business, and national identity in the modern world.
Stay tuned to archyde.com for continuing coverage of this developing story and in-depth analysis of the political and economic ramifications of the Trump Tower Belgrade project. Explore our Politics and Business sections for more breaking news and insightful commentary.