Carl Icahn is fleeing Atlantic City after burning $100 million on the Trump Taj Mahal
This is the end of a costly fight for Icahn, who purchased the Taj Mahal out of bankruptcy back in March. Donald Trump opened the casino 26 years ago but took it into backruptcy, mostly leaving Atlantic City in 2009. Trump retained a small stake in the casino in exchange for the use of his name.
Icahn says he spent $100 million trying to revive the Trump Taj Mahal but was was stymmied, in part, by the longest strike in Atlantic City history, which started July 1.
"It was a bad bet," Icahn told the Associated Press. "How much good money do you throw after bad?"
Casino workers wanted a restoration of pension benefits and health insurance that were promised to them during bankruptcy proceedings before Icahn took over. Icahn offered them fewer benefits, and workers found that unacceptable. Now 8,000 jobs will be lost.
"What is my obligation?" Icahn said. "I give hundreds of millions to charity, but this is a business - it's not a charity. They look at this as my responsibility, and I'm a bad guy if I don't give them what they want."