If you thought that Donald Trump’s recent bid to buy TV star Ed McMahon’s Beverly Hills mansion was part of a massive publicity stunt… you might be right.
A couple of weeks ago the real estate mogul turned TV host offered to lend a hand to McMahon as he fought off the threat of foreclosure on his $5.75 million six-bedroom home. The Donald’s move, which at the time seemed benevolent, made headlines around the country. Many expressed admiration for the Trumpster and his goodwill gesture of buying McMahon’s property and leasing it back to the 85-year-old celeb.
But, now word has it that the former “The Tonight Show” sidekick is close to wrapping up the sale of his mega-home, only Trump won’t be the new owner. Turns out Trump made a written offer, but was outbid last week by an anonymous buyer. According to McMahon’s rep, “It’s a confidential deal, but I can tell you it is not Mr. Trump.”
McMahon has been living in the home for the last 30 years but faced the threat of foreclosure after his mortgage lenders filed notice of default in February. McMahon went public with his financial woes earlier this summer and—-poof!-—in enters Trump.
But shortly after Trump entered the picture (and got a ton of positive press) McMahon’s rep says a new buyer surfaced and escrow opened late last week. And this is where it gets interesting—following the announcement that a new buyer had outbid Trump, Rosie O’Donnell’s nemesis cancelled an appearance on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” in which he was scheduled to speak about his offer to bail out McMahon.
The question many are asking is why Trump didn’t outbid the current buyer, especially given the statement his peeps released to the media just a few days ago:
“The other buyer has signed a purchase agreement–subject to many contingencies including but not limited to a mortgage contingency. Mr. Trump clearly would not need a mortgage and would be capable of closing this transaction immediately. If the other buyer should be successful in this bid, Mr. Trump truly hopes that they do the right thing by Ed McMahon and not have this 85-year-old American icon removed from the property.”
If Trump is truly concerned that McMahon is going to be forced to live in a place he is not comfortable in then why not simply up his offer and let the TV legend stay put?