Trump: Eminent domain is ‘a wonderful thing’

by Elliot Smilowitz - 10/06/15 9:07 PM ET

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his stance in favor of eminent domain — a view not shared by many in his party.

“Eminent domain, when it comes to jobs, roads, the public good, I think it’s a wonderful thing,” Trump told Fox News‘ Bret Baier.

{mosads}“You’re not taking property. … You’re paying a fortune for that property,” he said of the process, adding that homeowners can be paid “four, five, six, ten times” their property’s value.

Trump, a real estate mogul, noted that he’s dealt with eminent domain a lot in building developments in New York City. He said the idea that people are forced to sell homes they don’t really want to give up is a myth.

“Most of the time, they just want money,” the businessman said. “These people can go buy a house now that’s five times bigger and in a better location.”

The conservative group Club For Growth has run attack ads on Trump over his support for eminent domain. Trump on Tuesday dismissed those attacks as a result of his refusal to donate to the Club.

Tags Donald Trump Eminent domain