DOJ Sues Trump Organization for Housing Discrimination

The Case

In October 1973, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, his father Fred Trump, and their real estate company, Trump Management Inc. The suit alleged systematic racial discrimination in their rental practices across 39 residential buildings in New York City.

The government’s evidence was extensive. Undercover testers — pairs of Black and white applicants with similar qualifications — were sent to Trump properties. Black applicants were told there were no vacancies, while white applicants were offered apartments in the same buildings on the same day.

The Evidence

According to court documents, Trump employees were instructed to mark rental applications from Black prospective tenants with a “C” for “colored.” Doormen were reportedly told to redirect Black applicants away from buildings.

The scope was significant: the Trump Organization managed approximately 14,000 apartments across Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island at the time.

Resolution

Rather than go to trial, the Trumps signed a consent decree in 1975 agreeing not to discriminate. They did not admit guilt. The agreement required them to furnish the New York Urban League with a weekly list of vacancies, among other measures.

The DOJ later alleged the Trumps violated the consent decree, returning to court in 1978 with new complaints that discrimination was continuing.