Carl Icahn Drinks Trump's Milkshake in AC

Richard Wilner, writing in the New York Post, has the skinny on the opening verbal warfare in the battle of Carl Icahn vs Donald Trump.  They are fighting over The Donald’s bankrupt casino assets, including the Taj Mahal.

Trump on Icahn: “(He) runs companies so badly that I think it’d be really bad for the company if he took over.”

…and your retort, Mr Icahn?

Icahn on Trump: “we run companies successfully in many areas, but on point, let’s talk about casinos — Donald’s favorite business.  I purchased the Stratosphere in Las Vegas out of bankruptcy for $300 million in 2000, cleaned it up and sold it one-and-half-years later for $1.3 billion…Somehow, I don’t notice the same record at the Taj which went bankrupt three times under Donald’s stewardship.”

Oh, and what was Icahn’s response when Trump referred to himself as “hot”?

“If hot means being able to burn other people’s money, I guess he’s correct.”

I have absolutely no idea whether or not Icahn can run Trump’s properties or bring in the team to do so. But I do know that Trump has now presided over DJT (his first gaming company publicly traded equity) and TRMP (his second, initially financed by, of all people, Lehman Brothers). Neither exist anymore, shareholders were disemboweled both times.

In the same way that thrice-divorced men really ought to give up on getting married, maybe its time to let someone else get a crack at those AC casinos.

With no money in the game whatsoever, I have to root for Carl here.  And who wouldn’t rather play blackjack at the ICAHNsino than next to an Indian elephant’s leavings?  (Yes Carl, I made up Icahnsino and yes, you can have it.)

Get the rest of the story at the Post, in which Wilner refers to the corporate raider as Carl ‘The Situation” Icahn.  I know, the Jersey Shore references will get tired… but not quite yet.

Trump, Icahn Trade Barbs in Atlantic City  (NYP)