“Call it Trump’s name or any other name you want — it is still a 7-building urban genocide that will kill the Hippodrome and extinguish the lungs of central Tbilisi. A 7-building multifunctional hell on the site of the Hippodrome in Tbilisi simply should not be built — it is unacceptable, unethical, and a catastrophe for this city,” said Tazo Datunashvili, one of the leaders of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” commenting on the implementation of the Trump Tower Tbilisi project.

According to him, “whether it is Phakazde, Ivanishvili, or any other unclear group hiding behind Trump’s name or someone else’s name, this should not be built.”

“In international business, the Trump Organization’s franchise model is already a well-established term. The Trump Organization sells its name for various international development projects. Of course, it has standards, but it does sell this franchise.

It does not matter what name you attach to it — this is a 7-building urban genocide that will destroy the Hippodrome and shut down the lungs of central Tbilisi. Whatever name you give it, it will in all cases be a massive disgrace toward every Tbilisi resident.

So whether Phakazde, Ivanishvili, or other unclear figures hide behind Trump’s name or anyone else’s name, it does not change the fact that this 7-building multifunctional hell should simply not be built on the Hippodrome site in Tbilisi. It is unacceptable, unethical, and a catastrophe for this city. They may wave Trump’s name all they want, but we will firmly defend the interests of all residents of Saburtalo and Tbilisi, whose city’s central breathing space is being destroyed,” Datunashvili said.

For context, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, The Trump Organization plans to develop the Trump Tower Tbilisi project in Georgia together with local partners. The project envisions a 70-story multifunctional skyscraper that would become the tallest building in the country. Trump Tower Tbilisi is expected to include high-end residential apartments, hotel space, and commercial areas. The planned location is near Tbilisi Central Park.