The Washington Sun

Main Navigation

Subscribe Log in
  • Newsletters
    • Sign up for our newsletters
    • The Washington Sun newsletter
    • Afternoon Sun
    • Metro
    • Sign up for Dana Milbank’s newsletter
    • Sign up for Matt K. Lewis’ newsletter
  • Weather
  • Campaigns
    • 2026 Election
    • 2028 Election
    • Democrats
    • Republicans
    • Influence
  • Congress
    • House
    • Senate
  • Metro
    • Latest in Metro
    • Tom Sietsema
  • Sports
    • Latest in Sports
    • All-DMV High School
  • Policy
    • Administration
    • Defense
    • Energy & Environment
    • Immigration
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Foreign Policy
    • Housing
    • Technology
  • National
    • Legal
    • U.S. News
  • Perspectives
    • Latest Perspectives
    • Dana Milbank
    • Matt K. Lewis
    • Features
    • Forums
  • Podcast
    • Washington Sun Cast • Episode List
    • Listen on Apple Podcasts
    • Listen on Spotify
    • Watch on Youtube
  • Who Are We?
    • About The Washington Sun
    • Events
    • Work for us
    • Press Releases
    • Support FAQ
  • Follow Us
    • X (Twitter)
    • Bluesky
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
Subscribe
Log in

Support independent journalism. Subscribe for $50 for your first year. Limited time.

Health & Science

‘Affected By Pests’: Trump’s Chicago Hotel Restaurants Failed Health Inspections

In December, city officials flagged flies, faulty dishwashers and wastewater-flooded floors.

Donald Trump Eating Pizza

President Donald Trump. (Chris Tilley/AP)

By Taylor Giorno

March 10, 2026 05:03 a.m.

  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Copy
    Link copied

Just before Christmas, a city health inspector visited the Trump International Hotel in Chicago.

They didn’t approve of what they saw.

The health inspector found wastewater flooding the floor of the main kitchen when three of the prep sinks drained, according to Chicago Department of Public Health records. A dishwasher was also not properly sanitizing dishes and utensils.

Meanwhile, the inspector observed “small flies” throughout a rooftop restaurant’s bar and dish area, as well as a cracked lid on the ice machine and debris buildup inside the prep cooler and on the floor beneath sinks.

Trending

  • Jake Johnson

    Dana Milbank: How Big a Wave? This Minnesota Math Teacher Could Be the Democrats’ High-Water Mark.

  • AP26265855643072

    Republicans Are Trying to Spend Their Way Out of Disaster in Kansas

  • AP Poll Trump Approval Issues

    Police Chiefs Are Quietly Signing ICE Deals Without Approval

  • NY: ICE Agents At LaGuardia Airport

    ICE Won’t Automatically Switch On Body Cameras, Citing Privacy Concerns

The health official issued several citations on Dec. 17, 2025, and “instructed” the manager to make improvements.

When the inspector returned the next week, on Dec. 23, both sites passed inspection. Only the cracked ice machine lid remained, which the inspector again instructed the manager to replace, according to health department data. Other sections of the hotel, including a banquet room and a lounge, received passing grades.

TrumpInspectionRecordChicago
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health

Neither Trump Hotels nor The Trump Organization responded to requests for comment.

Several Trump hotels and golf clubs have been hit over the past year with health code violations.

At Trump’s golf club in Westchester County, New York, officials observed insects, rodents and other health violations including “dirty surfaces,” “poorly constructed” rooms “in disrepair,” and “inadequate” lighting and ventilation during a visit last November, according to state health data first reported by NOTUS.

And in May 2025, New Jersey health officials hit Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, with 18 health code violations. The golf course manager at the time decried the inspection as a “politically motivated attack.”

After Forbes first reported on the Bedminster inspection, health inspectors revisited the golf course and revised the grade from a 32 out of 100 to an 86.

Author

Taylor Giorno Taylor Giorno is a reporter at The Washington Sun.

The Latest

  • Ovechkin Carolina

    The Ovechkin Farewell Tour Opens With a Capitals Loss to Carolina

  • A woman pushes a shopping cart

    Inflation Rose Again Last Month, Complicating Republicans’ Midterms Pitch

  • Sen. Brian Schatz

    Schatz Says Democrats Can’t Just Be Voters’ ‘Rebound Boyfriend’

  • AP26265855643072

    Republicans Are Trying to Spend Their Way Out of Disaster in Kansas

  • NY: ICE Agents At LaGuardia Airport

    ICE Won’t Automatically Switch On Body Cameras, Citing Privacy Concerns

Welcome back to The Washington Sun!

You can always update your profile and newsletters preferences on the My Account page.

Manage account settings

Welcome to
The Washington Sun

Subscribe to maintain unlimited access to independent journalism covering Washington's people, politics and power.

  • About The Washington Sun
  • Work for us
  • Terms of Use
  • Subscription Agreement Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your CA Privacy Rights
  • Support FAQ
  • Contact us
  • RSS Feed

© 2026.0 NOTUS MEDIA, LLC