Former Donald Trump, fresh off declaring himself the winner of his own tournament despite missing a round, created more headlines this week. A picture of him and the former head of the Philadelphia mafia surfaced, sending everyone into a tizzy.
The Philadelphia Inquirer revealed the photograph of Trump standing next to former mafia don “Skinny” Joey Merlino, who federal authorities convicted of racketeering in 2001, in early January at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach in Florida.
Former President Donald Trump posed for a picture with former Philly mob boss Joey Merlino at a South Florida golf club.
Does Trump know Merlino? Or at least who he was? His presidential campaign won’t say. https://t.co/kugbuzgyGF
— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) January 23, 2023
“Former President Donald Trump posed for a picture with former Philly mob boss Joey Merlino at a South Florida golf club,” The Philadelphia Inquirer tweeted. “Does Trump know Merlino? Or at least who he was? His presidential campaign won’t say.”
A spokesperson to former President Trump denied any wrongdoing.
“President Trump takes countless photos with people. That does not mean he knows every single person he comes in contact with,” the spokesperson told The Inquirer.
The outlet noted the spokesperson didn’t respond when asked if Trump knew Merlino or his history as “Skinny Joey,” the head of the Philadelphia mafia whom federal authorities convicted of racketeering in 2001 before spending a decade in prison.
The Inquirer noted that Merlino was a “leader of a violent crew on his way up to being boss of an organized crime operation active in Philadelphia and Atlantic City.”
