Trump Tower evacuation exacerbates frustration between New York City, president-elect

Tourists visit the lobby of Trump Tower.

(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

published 28 December 2016

A "false alarm" in Trump Tower on Tuesday highlighted the tension between the office of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the transition team of President-elect Donald Trump. The lobby of Trump's Midtown Manhattan building was evacuated Tuesday afternoon when a bag of children's toys was considered a "suspicious package," following normal protocol: "They cannot afford to assume. The stakes are too high," security expert Manny Gomez told CBS News.

"Back to work here at Trump Tower after a false alarm," Trump's incoming press secretary, Sean Spicer, tweeted after the incident. But the statement sparked the ire of de Blasio's own press secretary, Eric Phillips:

It reportedly costs New York City more than $1 million a day to protect Trump, a price tag de Blasio has sought support to pay. Nevertheless, Dan Scavino Jr., Trump's incoming social media director, subsequently pounced on Phillips:

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"That's not very nice, Dan," Phillips replied. "But about that bill ... work on it with us?"

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.