- Two new entities tied to Trump’s business were quietly registered in Delaware in September 2025—DT Marks Nashville LLC and DT Marks Nashville Member Corp.—indicating a possible new project in Nashville.
- If confirmed, it would mark Trump’s first US real estate licensing deal since 2017, a shift after years of prioritizing foreign markets like Oman, Dubai, and Vietnam.
- Trump-branded projects remain controversial in liberal-leaning US cities, but Nashville’s position in a red state may offer a strategic opportunity as Trump’s political comeback boosts his brand’s commercial appeal.
A Quiet Reentry into the US Market
According to Forbes, the Trump Organization has been largely absent from new US real estate development since 2017. But two new business entities—DT Marks Nashville LLC and DT Marks Nashville Member Corp—filed in Delaware in September, suggest that may be changing. The naming format matches other Trump licensing ventures, raising speculation of a new branded project in Music City.
Though no official announcement has been made, this would be Trump’s first domestic licensing deal in eight years if it materializes. Representatives for the Trump Organization declined to comment.
A Long-Stalled Domestic Push
The Trump Organization previously floated hotel brands like Scion and American Idea to expand in mid-market cities. Between 2016 and 2018, Trump’s team claimed up to 39 potential agreements—including in Nashville—but most failed to move forward, generating almost no revenue.
The Trump brand’s polarizing image made domestic deals difficult, especially after the January 6 Capitol riot, which hurt its marketability. One analyst said at the time, “He has done permanent damage to the Trump name and image, at least for two, three decades.”
Trump’s Licensing Empire Goes Global
While US deals stalled, Trump’s international licensing business surged, growing fivefold from $100M to $500M in value. Recent projects include partnerships in Oman, the UAE, Romania, and Vietnam, where Trump licenses his name in exchange for fees without owning the properties.
These ventures are typically structured through entities like DT Marks Dubai LLC or DT Marks Oman LLC, similar to the Nashville filings.
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Can Nashville Work
A Trump-branded property in **Nashville—a blue city in a red state—**would test how much the brand has recovered in the US The idea first came up in 2017, drawing petitions from critics but also support from locals.
Public figures like John Rich and Kid Rock, both Trump allies with Nashville ties, haven’t been linked to the filings. Local developers are staying quiet, though the timing may be right. One longtime Trump partner told Forbes, “Trump is hot right now. That’s a great brand to sell.”
Why It Matters
If the Trump Organization moves forward in Nashville, it may signal a return to US licensing deals. The shift is fueled by Trump’s renewed political influence and growing brand momentum overseas. With international deals rising and strong domestic support, the brand may cautiously re-expand into US real estate.
What’s Next
While the details remain unconfirmed, expect further scrutiny and speculation around the Nashville filings. If the Trump Organization breaks ground in Tennessee, it may pave the way for more US projects in politically favorable markets.
