Did Trump ask Argentina's president for a business favor during their post-election call?

Update 1:50 p.m.: A spokesman for Argentine President Mauricio Macri denied that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump asked for a business favor during a post-election call. "Trump and President Macri only spoke about maintaining the institutional relationship between the two countries," the spokesman told BuzzFeed News. "They then recalled their personal relationship. They never spoke of the tower." A Trump spokesman also denied the story. Our original post is below.
When Argentine President Mauricio Macri called President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory, Trump reportedly brought up an office building he wants to build in Buenos Aires. The project has been bogged down for years by "complications tied to financing, importation of building materials, and various permitting requirements," Talking Points Memo reported, and Trump allegedly attempted to get Macri to authorize the building's construction. "[I]t wasn't just a geopolitical chat," said Argentine journalist Jorge Lanta, per Argentine daily newspaper La Nacion.
Almost immediately, Trump has come under fire for the ethical issues of his alleged request. The Atlantic's David Frum, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, argued that if the reports are true, Trump's mixing of business and politics could be grounds for impeachment. Frum specifically referenced James Madison's argument in favor of impeachment at the Constitutional Convention in 1787:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump's partner on the Argentina project, Felipe Yaryura, was reportedly present at his celebration on election night.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Amazon's James Bond deal could mean a new future for 007
In the Spotlight The franchise had previously been owned by the Broccoli family for its entirety
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why are Republicans suddenly panicking about DOGE?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As Trump and Musk take a chainsaw to the federal government, a growing number of Republicans worry that the massive cuts are hitting a little too close to home
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What is JD Vance's Net Worth?
In Depth The vice president is rich. But not nearly as wealthy as his boss and many of his boss' appointees
By David Faris Published
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden expected to block Japanese bid for US Steel
Speed Read The president is blocking the $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bitcoin surges above $100k in post-election rally
Speed Read Investors are betting that the incoming Trump administration will embrace crypto
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Enron mystery: 'sick joke' or serious revival?
Speed Read 23 years after its bankruptcy filing, the Texas energy firm has announced its resurrection
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published