Plans for former US President Donald Trump's ambitious presidential library in downtown Miami have taken a provocative turn, with proposals to include a dedicated "fake news wing" within the complex. The high-rise project, which has already raised $50 million this year, is set to be built on a prime parcel of land controversially granted by the state of Florida.
Controversial Land Deal and Library Vision
The site for the future library, currently a parking lot for Miami Dade College, was appraised at $60 million but real estate experts suggest its value could be closer to $300 million. Its location is notably adjacent to the historic Freedom Tower on Biscayne Boulevard, a recently restored monument symbolising press freedom and immigration. The tower, once home to the Miami News, is also known as the 'Ellis Island of the South' for its role in processing Cuban refugees fleeing communism in the 1960s.
This proximity has sparked opposition from groups who point to Trump's hardline immigration policies. The library itself is planned as a 47-storey high-rise, a stark departure from traditional presidential libraries, and is expected to include a hotel, restaurant, and office space.
The Genesis of the 'Fake News Wing'
The idea for a "fake news wing" was reportedly suggested to Eric Trump by conservative podcast host Benny Johnson during an interview in late October. Johnson, a former BuzzFeed News reporter fired for plagiarism, pointed to the millions of dollars in legal settlements President Trump has received from media companies.
"Please, for the love of God, make the fake news wing of the library sponsored by ABC News and CBS and 60 Minutes and put their logos right up there," Johnson said. He suggested using the settlement funds to create the exhibit, adding, "And just show everyone who paid for the fake news of the library." Eric Trump called the suggestion "beautiful."
Proposed Exhibits and Funding
Eric Trump elaborated that the wing would occupy an entire floor of the skyscraper and could feature exhibits such as former Vice President Kamala Harris' 60 Minutes interview played on a loop. Trump's team claimed the interview was deceptively edited ahead of the 2024 election, though CBS stated it was edited for time, as is standard practice.
Notably, a $16 million settlement paid to the Trump Library Foundation by Paramount, CBS's parent company, in July is specifically earmarked for the library. This payment coincided with Paramount's efforts to finalise an $8 billion sale to Skydance Media, which received approval from Trump's FCC.
Eric Trump also suggested an exhibit focused on the 2017 Charlottesville rally, arguing media misrepresented his father's "very fine people on both sides" comment. He further cited ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos' past role in the Clinton White House as an example of media bias. "I will do an entire floor dedicated to the fake news, and I'll have a little trademark in your honor, Benny," Eric Trump told Johnson.
The development of the Trump presidential library, with its unconventional scale and contentious themes, continues to fuel debate about legacy, political discourse, and the use of prime public land in Miami.
