Clinton: Atlantic City proves Trump is no great businessman

Associated Press

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.

Standing on Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk, Hillary Clinton ripped Donald Trump as a “shameful” businessman who contributed to the decline of the oceanfront resort town and would be just as disastrous for America’s workers as president.

“What he did here in Atlantic City is exactly what he’ll do if he wins in November,” Clinton warned on Wednesday, the faded facade of Trump Plaza, a shuttered hotel formerly owned by the presumptive Republican nominee, just over her shoulder.

Clinton’s remarks were part of a growing effort by her campaign to undercut Trump’s business reputation, which Democrats believe is greatly overhyped and based more on his ability to attract publicity than actual private-sector skills. In the coming weeks, she is expected to highlight “victims” of Trump’s business ventures, including contractors who went unpaid – echoing a strategy Democrats employed successfully against 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

For Clinton, Atlantic City provided a picture-perfect backdrop to try to undermine that reputation.

Once a casino-lined coastal jewel, the city has struggled in recent years, losing more than half of its gambling revenue during the past nine years. The casinos’ struggles have led to job losses and credit downgrades.

“Isn’t he supposed to be some kind of amazing businessman?” Clinton said. “So it’s fair to ask, since he is applying for a job, what in the world happened here?”