Donald Trump, local bully

Anthony Baxter’s indie film, "You’ve Been Trumped," which premiered in theaters in the US this month is continuing to cause a stir amongst Donald Trump’s many supporters and equally numerous detractors.  

The film details the efforts of locals in Aberdeenshire to stay the tsunami of Trumphood which threatens to wash their homes and histories from the face of the earth in the wake of a massive new golf resort complex. 

Trump’s purchase of the 1,400 acre Menie Estate in an area called one of the pristine gems of Scotland’s coastal environments is the focus of the movie.  Trump’s plan include a 450-room hotel and 1,500 luxury homes.

The Hollywood Reporter says the film catches Trump "in instances of bullying and mendacity that are brazen even by Trumpian standards."  

The film shows Trump insulting residents who opposed the resort.  He calls one opponent’s home a "slum and a pigsty."  Other residents are subjected to huge piles of dirt and sand deposited by Trump’s construction in front of their homes.  Still others find their power and water disconnected.

Throughout the film, Baxter uses clips from the 1983 Bill Forsyth film, ‘Local Hero’ starring Peter Riegert and Burt Lancaster as Texas oil men who plan a similar vast transformation of the local landscape only to be charmed out of the idea by Scottish pluck and a lot of great scenery.  The Trump scenario, however, has no such twee ending.

The plan, at first quashed by politician Martin Ford and the Aberdeenshire council  was revived and given the OK by the Scottish National Parliament led by First Minister, Alex Salmond.

Despite the David and Goliath battle put up by locals, Trump International Golf Links opened in Aberdeenshire in July.  The hotel and luxury homes have been put on hold until a decision is made about whether or not to allow the building of a nearby windfarm, which Trump says will destroy the views he’s selling.  Trump, however, remains nonplussed.  He told the BBC in July that he was confident his plans would continue and that the entire project would be seen to completion.

"It’s the whole structure that makes it special – the dunes, being on the North Sea – the architect has done an amazing job," he told reporters.

"It’s a special place, Scotland is a special place. I think this is great for golf, and what’s great for golf is good for Scotland because Scotland is the home front for the game."

Discounts of 20% were offered to locals.