Donald Trump's New DC Hotel Opens With a Whimper

WASHINGTON, DC — You'd think the opening of a brand new Donald Trump-branded hotel in a prominent location would be cause for big fanfare -- but in the case of Trump International Hotel in D.C., all was quiet except for a handful of protesters.

Trump has always enjoyed the spotlight, and has long been the epitome of flash and big, bold statements -- which is what made the opening of Trump International Hotel on Monday at the Old Post Office Building at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW such a strange sight: there were no big banners, no bold proclamations from Trump himself that this would be the "best" or "most beautiful" hotel in history, and, it appears, there aren't many guests so far.

"Hard to tell in this pic, but front entrance to the hotel is open," NPR producer Brakkton Booker tweeted earlier today before the hotel officially opened at 2 p.m. "I have not seen anyone enter or exit."

David Corn, Washington bureau chief of Mother Jones, agreed: "Trump hotel in DC is open--but only to guests. Public not allowed in. And I see no guests coming or going."

There were protesters out front holding signs such as "stand up to racism" and "we'll build a wall against racism and bigotry." They also reportedly changed "hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go," Booker tweeted.

And today may not be an aberration. Ever since Trump has ascended to the top of the Republican presidential ticket, he has become a polarizing and widely disliked figure nationwide. That could keep the hotel from getting the big-ticket events that many hotels depend on, says Benjamin Freed, a writer for the Washingtonian.

Trump's comments on immigrants and Muslims have led many to brand him as a racist and bigot, and turned off many people to his brand in the last year. He currently trails Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in the polls. If he were to win, he says he would hand off his business to the care of his children.

Image via Trump International Hotel