As news broke that Ivanka Trump had gotten engaged to longtime boyfriend Jared Kushner, publisher of the New York Observer, her real estate mogul father Donald Trump sends his good wishes to the twosome. “I am very happy about it. They make a magnificent couple!” he tells OK!.

Ivanka wrote about the joyous event on her Twitter page this morning, writing: “I got engaged last night…truly the happiest day of my life!!!”

Source, Bauer-Griffin

Beauty queens are in the eye of the beholder. And for Donald Trump, Carrie Prejean will always be a beauty queen.

Trump, the owner of the Miss Universe Organization and thus decider of Miss California’s fate, resolved today to let the scandal-scarred and contract-violating titleholder keep her crown, over yesterday’s urgings of Golden State pageant officials.

“Carrie will remain Miss California,” the Donald announced at a press conference this morning, adding that “we are in the 21st century.”

“We’ve really studied these photos,” he said. “We’ve made a determination that everything we’ve seen to date that she’s done—some were very beautiful, some were risqué—the pictures taken were acceptable, were fine, and in some cases were lovely pictures.”

The aesthetic argument is one Trump returned to several times over the course of explaining his decision.

“If Carrie weren’t so beautiful, this never would have come up,” he said. “Carrie is totally beautiful. And her answer, because of that, took on more importance. Unfortunately, that’s the way the press works. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

As for Prejean, she took time out to give thanks to her own holy trinity: Trump and Miss California officials, her fans, and—no acceptance speech is complete without him—God.

“I would like to thank the thousands of Americans who have sent letters, sent emails, messages…I cannot count the number of fan mail I have received in the past three weeks of people expressing their support to me,” she said, choking back tears. “They have confided in me that they have found hope and inspiration in my story.

“Most importantly, I would like to thank God for trusting me with this large task and giving me the strength to stand by my beliefs.”

And while she dismissed the recent spate of leaked topless photos as one-off poses, Photoshopped snaps and otherwise unknowing outtakes from a surf magazine shoot, she did spend some time explaining the other alleged violation of her Miss California contract—lobbying against same-sex marriages.

“Being at the center of a media firestorm is not something I had planned or signed up for,” she said. “Let me be clear, I am not an activist, nor do I have a personal agenda.

“I was thrown into this firestorm from the time I was asked the question on stage.”

Source

With the economy still on shaky ground, celebrity real estate mogul Donald Trump gives us tips on how to survive and save during the recession.

Cut back on booze: “I don’t drink alcohol,” Donald tells Life & Style. “That saves a lot of money.”

Spend only on the true necessities: Even if you’re not in a tough spot, “pretend you are,” he advises. “Frugality should be a way of life.”

Be careful whose financial advice you take: Listen to the experts, but “do your own research before you invest any money,” Donald warns. “As my father always said, ‘Know everything you can about what you’re doing.’”

Stay positive: “The economy is cyclical,” he tells Life & Style. “So the ups and downs are natural. Focus on the good things in life, and keep moving forward.”

Source

Heather Mills has reportedly been dropped from the line-up of Donald Trumps’ hit reality TV show Celebrity Apprentice.

The business tycoon confirmed in June that Mills was bidding for a role on the series, a spin-off of TV hit The Apprentice, which sees celebrities work under the guidance of mentor Trump.

But producers decided against recruiting the 41-year-old after she allegedly demanded a clause in her contract that guaranteed her a place in the show’s final.

A source tells Britain’s The Sun newspaper, “The network were originally very keen on getting her involved. But her demands were ludicrous and it soon became clear that getting her involved would be a headache. It was the final straw when she said she wouldn’t take part unless she was a dead cert for the final…She was politely informed that NBC wouldn’t be following up their interest in her appearing.”

The second series of the show is set to begin recording this month and is scheduled for a premiere in the U.S. in January.

Source

WENN

Joe Francis has been dropped from the line-up of Donald Trump’s hit reality TV show Celebrity Apprentice.

Francis revealed last month that he had signed up to appear on the business tycoon’s reality series, although network executives have yet to confirm the show’s competitors.

According to the New York Post, the porn mogul has been dropped from the show amid concerns from sponsors, who are said to be troubled by his recent legal woes – which included a 12-month stint behind bars on federal tax evasion charges.

Francis tells the newspaper: “Donald Trump and I decided to do a different show. I would have added a lot to Celebrity Apprentice, and I would have been excited to do it, but I’m more excited by this other idea.”

The show is set to begin recording in the autumn and is scheduled for a premiere in January.

Source

WENN

Donald Trump is preparing to become a grandfather for the second time – his son Donald Jr. and daughter-in-law Vanessa are expecting a baby.

Vanessa will welcome a brother or sister for one-year-old Kai Madison in February.

She tells People.com, “We’re so excited. We just told the family this past Monday. They thought it was great news. I couldn’t hide it any more. The second time you show faster.”

And she insists Kai is looking forward to having a sibling to play with: “I point to my belly, and tell her there’s a baby in my belly. She points to her belly button and thinks there’s a baby there. I say, ‘Not for you, for mama.’”

The new addition will also have a young uncle for a playmate – Trump Sr. has a two year old son Barron with his third wife Melania.

And the Apprentice star recently revealed he wants more, telling talk show host David Letterman, “Stranger things have happened. You know that stuff does happen, right? So I don’t know, we’ll see what happens. I have a wonderful wife who is very capable. And who knows, maybe we’ll have a surprise.”

Source

WENN

Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc reported a wider quarterly loss on Thursday as more would-be gamblers stayed home and the company took a one-time charge to write down the value of a casino it is selling.

In the past week, major casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp reported a net loss for the quarter while rival MGM Mirage suffered a dip in profit, as gamblers stayed away to save money on gas and airfares.

“The weakened economy, driven by tight credit markets, declines in consumer confidence and rising oil prices, has had a significant impact on the gaming industry across America,” Trump’s chief executive, Mark Juliano, said in a statement.

In addition to that, Trump has faced rising competition for its Trump Taj Mahal and Trump Plaza casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, from new gaming facilities in nearby Pennsylvania and New York, which has forced it to step up its marketing efforts.

Source

WENN