While U.S. President Donald Trump has recently described India as a “dead economy,” his family-owned Trump Organization continues to view the country as its most significant market outside the United States. Over the past decade, India has emerged as a key destination for the company’s luxury real estate ventures, with multiple projects in major cities.
According to records cited in a recent Indian Express report, the Trump Organization earned at least ₹175 crore from seven branded developments in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Gurugram until last year. Since launching its first Indian project in 2012, the company’s portfolio in the country is expected to grow from about 3 million sq ft of completed space to 11 million sq ft once ongoing developments are finished.
The Trump Organization operates primarily through brand licensing agreements, partnering with established Indian developers to create premium residential and commercial properties under the “Trump” name. These arrangements typically involve upfront licence or development fees, either linked to construction milestones or as a percentage share of project sales, often ranging from 3–5%. The association with the Trump brand has generally positioned these projects in the luxury segment, with units commanding higher prices than comparable developments.
Rapid Expansion Post-2024 Election
The pace of the company’s India activity has accelerated in the past eight months. Following Donald Trump’s election as the 47th U.S. president in November 2024, the Trump Organization and its long-time Indian partner, Tribeca Developers, announced six new projects across Gurugram, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Noida, and Bengaluru. Together, these developments account for about 8 million sq ft of planned real estate.
Of these, three projects — located in Pune, Gurugram, and Hyderabad — have already been launched this year, covering a total of approximately 4.3 million sq ft. The Pune venture, announced in March 2025, marks the brand’s first commercial property in the city, signaling a diversification beyond its traditional residential focus in the Indian market.
Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, has played a central role in overseeing these expansion plans. He has been involved in operational management, project oversight, and partner coordination in India. Donald Trump Jr., also an Executive Vice President, has focused more on strategic positioning and brand management. While Donald Trump stepped back from day-to-day operations during his earlier presidency, he retained full ownership of the company and has since returned to a more active role in shaping its global direction.
Business Model and Market Position
The Trump Organization’s India operations are structured to leverage brand equity while limiting direct investment exposure. By licensing its name, the company avoids the capital-intensive aspects of real estate development while benefiting from a share of project revenues. In India, this model has been facilitated by partnerships with developers who already possess land banks, local regulatory clearances, and construction capacity.
Properties under the Trump brand in India typically feature high-end design, luxury amenities, and premium marketing strategies. The branding often justifies a significant price differential in competitive metropolitan markets.
Despite its expansion in India, the Trump Organization continues to face legal and regulatory scrutiny in other jurisdictions, particularly in the United States. Investigations into tax practices, asset valuations, and corporate governance have led to lawsuits and, in some cases, financial penalties. These issues have impacted the brand’s public image, with some global partners choosing to reduce or end their association with the Trump name.
In India, the company’s growth coincides with a market environment where luxury real estate continues to attract demand from high-net-worth individuals, even as broader housing segments face challenges from slower economic growth and changing regulatory frameworks.
Historical Context and Legacy
The Trump Organization traces its origins to 1927, when Elizabeth Trump and her son Fred Trump founded the company under the name Elizabeth Trump & Son in New York. Donald Trump took control in 1971, rebranding it as the Trump Organization and expanding its activities into luxury real estate, hospitality, and golf courses. The company’s international ventures, including in India, form part of a strategy to monetise the brand through licensing and partnerships rather than large-scale direct ownership.
Outlook for Indian Projects
With six new projects announced since late 2024 and several in advanced stages of construction, the Trump Organization’s footprint in India is set to grow substantially in the next few years. The combined scale of current developments represents the largest concentration of Trump-branded real estate outside the United States.
Market analysts note that while Donald Trump’s political statements may attract controversy, the commercial operations of the Trump Organization in India appear unaffected, continuing to target the premium segment and expand into new city markets. The partnership with Tribeca Developers remains central to executing this strategy, with both parties expected to explore additional locations as market conditions permit.
Image source- trumptowers
