Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago has become the latest property associated with the former president to be cited for health code violations, with inspectors documenting issues including pest infestations, flooding, and improper food storage during a December assessment.
Multiple Violations Noted During Inspection
According to publicly available records from the Chicago Data Portal, a food inspection conducted on December 17, 2025, revealed several areas of non-compliance at the luxury hotel and residential tower. The inspector observed more than ten small flies buzzing around a bar area and an additional three small flies in a dishwashing zone, prompting a recommendation to service all areas affected by pests.
Further problems were identified in the kitchen, where three compartment sinks were found to flood the floor when drained. The hotel manager was instructed to repair these fixtures to prevent water accumulation and potential sanitation hazards.
Temperature and Sanitization Concerns
Among the more serious violations were failures in temperature regulation and sanitization processes. The inspector issued citations after discovering cooked vegetables, shredded lettuce, and kale stored above the safe temperature of 41°F. Additionally, the hot water dish machine was sanitizing utensils below the required 160°F, raising concerns about effective germ elimination.
Other minor issues included small amounts of debris on the floor, underneath sinks, and inside a preparation cooler. The inspector directed management to clean these areas thoroughly to maintain hygiene standards.
Follow-Up Inspection Shows Improvements
A follow-up inspection on December 23, 2025, confirmed that most violations had been remedied promptly. However, the inspector noted that an ice machine lid still had a crack on the interior, requiring repair or replacement. Despite the initial failures, the hotel ultimately passed its food inspection after addressing the majority of concerns.
The Independent has reached out to Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago for comment on the inspection findings, but no response has been received at this time.
History of Similar Violations
This is not the first time the Chicago property has encountered health inspection issues. In January 2024, the hotel failed a food inspection due to similar temperature regulation problems and an incident where a chef reused cleaned mollusk shells to serve oysters. Those violations were also corrected in a subsequent inspection.
The recent Chicago report, first highlighted by NOTUS, follows other health code incidents at Trump-associated properties. Last year, the Westchester County Department of Health in New York found improper food storage and other violations at Trump's golf club in Westchester, though none were classified as critical.
Broader Pattern of Health Code Issues
Similarly, Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, accumulated multiple health violations last year after an inspector discovered expired milk in a refrigerator, absent soap at a sink, and improper storage of raw meat with ready-to-eat food. The club's general manager dismissed the report as a politically motivated attack, but the facility later achieved a significantly higher health rating after resolving the identified problems.
These recurring incidents underscore ongoing challenges in maintaining consistent health and safety standards across various Trump-branded hospitality and leisure venues, despite assurances from management that issues are promptly addressed.
