'Pay Bribes Here' Projected onto Trump's DC Hotel

Image: PHOTO: The Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. (photo via Flickr/Maxence)
Image: PHOTO: The Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. (photo via Flickr/Maxence)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 5:15 PM ET, Tue May 16, 2017

President Donald Trump's Washington, D.C. hotel has been vandalized yet again.

Instead of spray paint or flames, the defacing came in the form of a projector this time around.

According to CNN, artist and filmmaker Robin Bell admitted to projecting several phrases onto the Trump International Hotel Monday night.

These included "Pay Trump bribes here" and "Emoluments welcome" in reference to the emoluments clause that prohibits federal officials from accepting payments from foreign governments.

Bell told CNN that his goal was to draw attention to accusations that Trump was allowing foreign leaders to gain access in exchange for staying at his luxury hotel.

"It's a pretty clear-cut example of impropriety," Bell told CNN in a telephone interview. "This is not like politics as usual. The rules and the lines are being pushed so far and this seemed to be so clear to me."

Opened last fall, the Trump International Hotel occupies the Old Post Office building that's being leased out by the General Services Administration (GSA).

House Democrats have been up in arms for months, arguing that Trump has violated his lease since being sworn into the Oval Office. Despite the calls for the president to divest from the property, the GSA has sided with Trump, though their ruling hasn't stopped some local businesses from lashing out. Earlier this year, a D.C. wine bar filed a lawsuit against Trump alleging the five-star hotel had an unfair advantage in attracting customers.

[READMORE] READ MORE: Donald Trump's New DC Hotel Ranked Among Worst of 2016[/READMORE]

Bell credited the hotel staff for shutting down his display pretty quickly, telling CNN it was short-lived because the hotel's staff is "pretty diligent about asking to take them down."

Nonetheless, more protests are likely to continue.

"There will be a lot more projections to come," Bell said. "We're going to keep going."


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection, What Advisors Need to KnowThursday, August 6, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Stay ahead with the latest updates from Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection, featuring upscale...
Upcoming Webinar
Experiential and Adventure WebinarTuesday, August 11, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse in the virtual studios on August 11 for the...
Upcoming Webinar
Headline: Learn about the New Riviera Travel River CruisesWednesday, August 12, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
If you haven't sold or sailed on Riviera over the past two years then you haven't experienced the new...
Upcoming Webinar
Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection, What Advisors Need to KnowThursday, August 6, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Stay ahead with the latest updates from Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection, featuring upscale...
Upcoming Webinar
Experiential and Adventure WebinarTuesday, August 11, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse in the virtual studios on August 11 for the...
Upcoming Webinar
Headline: Learn about the New Riviera Travel River CruisesWednesday, August 12, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
If you haven't sold or sailed on Riviera over the past two years then you haven't experienced the new...