Former President Donald Trump’s campaign still owes Albuquerque more than $200,000 in security costs and paid time off for city employees tied to his 2019 campaign rally in Rio Rancho, according to Mayor Tim Keller’s office.
Following unsuccessful efforts to collect the $211,175, the city sent a bill addressed to Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida in April 2021. Around that time, Mayor Tim Keller discussed the unpaid bill in an interview with “The Daily Show,” saying the city had used professional debt collectors to no avail.
During his visit, Trump stayed at the DoubleTree Hotel in Downtown Albuquerque — where city buses were used to barricade access to the hotel.
A letter sent with the invoice states that Trump’s visit to the metro area “incurred significant personnel and equipment costs.”
A breakdown of the bill includes $71,242 for the Albuquerque Police Department to provide 1,528 hours of additional coverage “required by the campaign visit,” $7,102 for barricades and $132,832 for paid time off for city employees “required to vacate downtown facilities” during the rally.
Trump has held rallies in the area three times since 2016 — at the Albuquerque Convention Center, at an airport hangar next to the Albuquerque International Sunport and finally at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho. His first visit in May 2016 before he was the official Republican nominee was met by around 1,000 protesters and devolved into a riot.
Trump has not announced any plans to come back to the state this election cycle.
When asked whether the outstanding bill would impact any future visits by the Trump campaign, city spokesperson Ava Montoya said, “We’ll continue to try to collect money that’s owed and work to ensure that we get paid for any services that our city is asked to provide.”
What would you do with the money, Mayor Keller? I’ll tell you, NOTHING! Our city is falling apart under your leadership. Crime is high, streets are terrible, the city is dirty, homeless everywhere, taxes are through the roof, and I could go on. Why don’t you consider adding another bridge to help out those living on the westside cross over to the east side? Many New Mexicans are struggling, and all I ever see you do is cut ribbons for things most of us could care less about. You have forgotten about those you should be concerned about as mayor. I expected more from you. Step aside and allow someone who does care run for mayor next term.
Why would we allow Trump to come back to our city and incur more unpaid bills? Let’s wise up!