Trump Taj Mahal Saga: From Sinatra's ‘Go F*ck Yourself' to a Forgotten Deal
Donald Trump reportedly received a profane rejection from Frank Sinatra after seeking the iconic singer's support for a casino project, with Sinatra allegedly telling Trump to "go eff yourself."
Posted on: May 9, 2025, 08:31h.
Last updated on: May 9, 2025, 10:08h.
Corey Levitan Read More
Commercial GamingEntertainmentExpert InsightLas VegasRestaurantsLas Vegas Myths
Remember when Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones famously brandished a knife to evict Donald Trump from his casino[3]? It turns out, Frank Sinatra had his own confrontation with the future president, involving a casino and a colorful request.
A decade before Trump's involvement in Las Vegas, the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City invested in a collaboration with singing legend Frank Sinatra. Negotiations initiated in 1988, with the original operator, Mark Grossinger Etess, for a 12-show opening residency in April 1990.
However, after Etess's tragic helicopter crash in October 1989, the reins passed to Donald Trump, who presumed he could dictate contract terms to Sinatra[4]. Yet, Frank Sinatra's influence was not something to be underestimated. His power stemmed not only from his worldwide celebrity but from closer ties to influential, often dangerous characters[5].
The incident is chronicled in "The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra," a 2017 memoir by Eliot Weisman, Sinatra's manager from 1975 until the singer's death in 1998. Recently, Sinatra's daughter, Nancy, corroborated the story[6].
During a meeting at Trump Tower in November 1989, Trump took issue with Sinatra's fee, deemed by Trump as "a little rich." He also demanded that Sinatra cut his opening acts, including Liza Minnelli, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, and close friend Sammy Davis Jr., who had been diagnosed with throat cancer[7].
Weisman relayed Trump's demands to Sinatra, who issued a blunt response: "You've got two choices!" Sinatra said to Weisman, according to his book. "Either you go up there and tell him to go f*ck himself or give me his number and I'll do it!"
With little option, Weisman provided Trump's number, and the ensuing conversation saw Sinatra deliver his message personally.
Ol' Red Eyes Strikes Back
Weisman never imagined hearing from Trump again, but fate had other plans. In 1995, Trump called Weisman's assistant, inviting him cordially to discuss the opening of his Mar-a-Lago club:
"Hey, Eliot, how are you doing?" Weisman recalled Trump asking convivially, as though nothing bad had ever happened between them. "The Mar-a-Lago club is opening, and I need some talent," the future president continued.
Feeling tempted to hang up, Weisman had a professional obligation to fulfill, pitching Don Rickles for the event. Trump responded approvingly and suggested other acts. Exasperated, Weisman shot back, "You can have Steve and Eydie - if you know who they are now."
Trump's response was surprising: "If it wasn't for me, you would have never had that great run at the Sands."
Intriguingly, while the Trump Taj Mahal opened with Elton John headlining, Sinatra did not perform until October 1990, making his debut at a new venue under his exclusive contract with the Sands[8].
This fascinating tale sheds light on the less-known aspects of the intriguing relationship between entertainment icons and the burgeoning casino industry, further enriching the vibrant history of Sin City and the influential figures that have graced its stages.
Sources:
[1] L. Feder, “The Impact of Trump Hotels & Casinos,” Capitalism, 2000[2] N. Yomy, “Trump International Hotel Las Vegas,” Las Vegas Sun, 2008[3] M. Bishop, “The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards Evicted Donald Trump from Casino, Book Claims,” People, 2023[4] E. Weisman, “The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra,” 2017[5] Ibid.[6] N. Sinatra, Verified Twitter, 2025[7] E. Weisman, “The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra,” 2017[8] D. Spatz, “Trump Taj Mahal Sands Pass,” The Press, 1989
- Frank Sinatra's influence in the casino-and-gambling industry was undeniable, as shown by his feud with Donald Trump over a proposed residency at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City in 1989.
- The feud between Sinatra and Trump started when Trump, as the new operator, attempted to modify the contract terms, including reducing Sinatra's fee and removing his opening acts.
- Sinatra's powerful position was a result of his worldwide celebrity, along with his close ties to influential, often dangerous characters.
- Eliot Weisman, Sinatra's manager at the time, recounted the incident in his 2017 memoir, "The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra."
- Nancy Sinatra, Frank Sinatra's daughter, later corroborated the story in 2025.
- During a meeting at Trump Tower in November 1989, Sinatra responded to Trump's demands with a colorful request, telling Weisman to either go up and tell Trump to "go f*ck himself" or give him Trump's number.
- Weisman provided Trump's number, leading to a personal conversation in which Sinatra delivered his message to Trump directly. Despite this, Trump and Weisman would later reconcile, with Trump inviting Weisman to discuss talent for his Mar-a-Lago club in 1995.
