Donald Trump To Buy Ed McMahon's House

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Donald Trump will soon be Ed McMahon's landlord. Trump announced Thursday he would save the television personality's Beverly Hills mansion from foreclosure by buying it for an undisclosed amount and leasing it to McMahon.

The developer told the Los Angeles Times he doesn't know McMahon personally, but acted out of compassion because helping out "would be an honor."

McMahon, 85, who was Johnny Carson's sidekick on the "Tonight" show for three decades, has not worked for about 18 months because of a neck injury. He defaulted on $4.8 million in mortgage loans with Countrywide Financial Corp.

McMahon's spokesman, Howard Bragman, told The Associated Press that paperwork on the sale had not been completed but that McMahon was "very optimistic" the deal would go through.

"When I was at the Wharton School of Business I'd watch him every night," Trump told the Times. "How could this happen?"

McMahon bought the six-bedroom, five-bathroom, 7,000-square-foot house in January 1990. The home was listed at $4.6 million last weekend _ down from a peak price of $7 million.

Comments

[editor]

A lot of people read Huffpo while they are eating breakfast. Please don't post Trump and McMahon pics that awful; the sight of that awful hair on Trump was like getting socked in the face.

[w8aminute]

Wait a minute- what makes you think he's just being kind? Apparently he hasn't read his name enough - it's just another publicity stuff using some of his pocket change. Can't wait to see how he writes this one off on his taxes.

[brokenarrow]

You would think this Combover on two legs would, as you said, have had enough of reading his own name.

True integrity, true class, is GIVING IN SECRET.................it's a lot like what is said about praying............PRAY IS SECRET..............just do good deeds without your publicity machine in tow, Donald.

[drjay79]

someone needs to put Ed on a budget

[Witchitalineman]

I don't like Trump but it a nice gesture.

[WFV]

Trump got a good deal, as always, but he did a really nice thing for once.

Glad to see somebody stepped up and helped Ed. He surely was a fixture for many years.

[trollsbwild]

Who knew Trump had a heart?

[PaleMail]

House now valued at $4.6 million down from a peak of $7 million. No mention of what McMahon paid for it in 1990. Now the guy is broke. Well, he had the enjoyment of many wives and that doesn't come cheap. The Donald can surely sympathize.

[KathyIndiana]

I know everyone is cynical about this, but the bottom line is an 85 year old man will be allowed to live in his own house for as long as he needs. The foreclosure process was literally trying to force a broke old man out. This is very nice of Donald Trump, especially since he doesn't even know Ed McMahon personally,

[BlueandGreen]

I agree with you, Kathy. While I don't have a ton of sympathy (ok, make that NONE) for McMahon for getting himself into this mess when it could have been avoided with, oh, say, a BUDGET, I do applaud Trump for doing this. I still think Ed should downsize, like the rest of us when we're in a crunch. Why not move into a smaller house or a condo? Oh, right ... the trophy wife. Well, we've all been guilty of bad decisions, so I guess Ed is just human. As you pointed out, he's 85 and how much longer does he have? A lesson to all: Don't spend more money than you have!

[Checquoline]

Wrong, an 85 year old spendthrift will get to stay in his mansion while millions of hard working Americans are losing their homes because of inflated mortgages.

[smags72]

Oh, BOO HOO for the 85-year-old MILLIONAIRE who didn't plan wisely for old age. He had MILLIONS! Maybe he SHOULD go live on the streets for a while and see what it's really like to be broke! Or better yet, bring your trophy wife with you, McMahon.

[SILVANUS]

Damn it, Donald. I only need a lousy 8 million to make my film!

[barriosbabe]

LOL

[sparkandy]

Hey, Donald! Wanna buy my house? It would just be pocket change for you and you could give it to a charity for a lovely write off. Then I could move under a bridge, which is about what I can actually afford on my salary. I could even cut back to one job! Please, please, please buy my house.

[lincat]

LOL

[SwingingFromCenter]

While it's nice of Trump to do this...let's say he pays 4 million for the house.

Ed had money and lived beyond his means. It's his own fault, he has nobody to blame but himself. Does he really deserve a bailout?

If Trump really wanted to do something nice, he could have taken that 4 million and saved 27 people with $150,000 houses who didn't necessarily live beyond their means but rather just fell victim to the economy.

27 honest people> Ed McMahon.

[anghiari]

Life doesn't work that way...and to beat the guy up because he chose to help one person is silly and rather self-involved. Do you know how many millionaires there are in the world? They could save those living in poverty, but they don't and won't. Trump is helping one person and for that he should be applauded. By the way when was the last time you visited a kitchen serving the homeless and served some meals? Stop criticizing and do what you can do!

[SwingingFromCenter]

I'll criticize if I want. It's a right I sorta have, or have you forgotten that?

My point is, Ed McMahon is about the last guy on this planet that deserves a bailout.

[TRichards]

Although no good deed goes unpunished, as is evident from some of the more cynical comments that appear here, I find it a little bit difficult and a huge "bit" distasteful to regard what Trump did here in a negative light.

Whether or not it's the kind act that others would have chosen, a kind act is a kind act is a kind act as much as a rose is rightfully defended as being a rose. Trump may come across as pompous and materialistic in his appearances, but that doesn't rule out his having a good heart. This was a good-hearted thing. Period. (Think about it. Just how much does Trump need your approval -- as those writing that this is a publicity stunt evidently believe. But, if I'm wrong, so what? The kind act remains a kind act anyway.

[theblueAmerican]

Hey Mr. Trump, there are approximately 17,000 homes in the Northern San Joaquin region that need to be bought. Got any spare change to help my neighborhood.

[lolyla]

That was a very nice gesture by Donald Trump.

[txgal44]

You know I had this very conversation with my friend about how someone with lot's of money should buy Ed's house. Then either give it to him or lease it to him for an amount he could easily afford. Now low and behold here comes The Donald! Thank you Donald Trump for your empathy and your compassion.