President Donald Trump is reportedly mulling a takeover bid of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum — and museum officials aren't on board.
Trump is looking into how the federal government could take control of the museum, which has faced questions over its finances and leadership, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing two anonymous White House officials. The officials described the talks as preliminary and exploratory, and an exact path for a takeover wasn't immediately clear.
The museum, however, has other ideas.
“At a time when the federal government is working to cut costs, assuming the full operating expenses for the site makes no sense,” said Beth Hillman, the president and CEO of the museum.
Museum spokesman Marc La Vorgna added, “We are certain that there is nothing in existing law that would give the federal government the unilateral ability to take the site over."
The Times noted the museum has faced scrutiny over its pricy admission prices and hefty leadership salaries. The report also noted billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is the museum's largest donor and is the chair of the board of trustees. He also happens to have a "longstanding feud" with the president.
This would be just the latest attempt at a Trump takeover.
Last month, he invoked rare presidential powers to take control of Washington, D.C.'s police department and activated the National Guard, citing security and crime concerns.
