Chawla’s hotel chain to tap into Don’s American Idea

Cleveland (Ohio), June 18: Dinesh Chawla is a key part of the latest venture for the Trump hospitality brand. The American of Indian descent plans to use the family business to help launch a new chain of budget hotels dubbed “American Idea” and inspired by Donald Trump’s victorious presidential campaign.

On a sunny day in June, the medium-built, shorthaired Mr Chawla appeared weary and was fighting a stubborn cough, having returned to this small suburban town only three days earlier from New York, where he had joined Donald Trump Jr. in announcing the partnership.

“I feel like Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood when they won American Idol,” the 52-year-old said at the offices of Chawla Inc., the company created by his late father that he now runs with his brother Suresh. But as an immigrant, he can tell you about being shoved around and suffering racist taunts.

And in interview after interview, one question keeps coming up: How could he go into business with the Trump Organization, when its founder is pushing a high- ly controversial ban on travel from predominantly Muslim countries? His answer seems readymade: “We’re not investing in his presidency, his policies on refugees and all that stuff. We are investing in technology, expertise, intelligent administration.”

President Trump was not involved in the deal, Mr Chawla continued adding that his brother had briefly met Mr Trump once during the political campaign, when the idea for the hotel chain was born, but that they were barred from seeing him for several years for ethics reasons.

Still, the Chawlas and the Trumps have a history: years ago, the future President had offered their father advice on securing financing for his first hotel.

“People would always question motives,” said Mr Chawla. “I realise there is some concern. Our decisions were strictly business.” He pauses. “If they are using us, people might have to consider that we are using them a little bit too,” said Mr Chawla citing the larger scale of the Trump Organization’s operations.

Mr Chawla describes himself as a Republican on economic matters and a Democrat on social questions. He favors adoption by gay parents and promotes gender equality in his business.

I feel like Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood when they won American

Idol. We’re not investing in his presidency, his policies on refugees and all that stuff

— Dinesh Chawla, CEO, Chawla Hotels