Matthew F. Calamari Sr. is an American business executive serving as the chief operating officer of The Trump Organization. He was previously its director of security and a personal bodyguard of Donald Trump.

Career edit

Calamari graduated from New York Institute of Technology in 1979.[1] He was a college linebacker.[2] Through his coach, he took a temporary security position through his coach during the 1981 US Open.[3] During the semifinals between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, Calamari removed hecklers from the venue, impressing Donald Trump.[2]

Calamari joined The Trump Organization initially as a security guard.[4] In the early 1990s, he was promoted to security director of Trump Tower.[2] He later became the director of security and served as Trump's personal bodyguard.[4] He appeared on three episodes of The Apprentice.[5] Calamari was promoted to chief operating officer.[4] He oversees building management, construction, and insurance.[6] He briefly worked on the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign.[7] In 2021, Calamari was investigated by the New York County District Attorney regarding if he had paid taxes on company benefits including a funded apartment and car.[8] He was not charged.[9]

Personal life edit

Calamari's son, Matthew Calamari Jr. joined the Trump Organization in 2011 and was promoted to director of security in 2016.[5] He has owned an apartment in Trump Parc since 2020.[5] As of 2021, Calamari is a registered Republican and resides in Glen Head, New York.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ West, Teri (2019-03-06). "Top Trump Organization official Matthew Calamari attended NYIT". The Island Now. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  2. ^ a b c Chiu, Allyson (2019-02-28). "Matthew Calamari went viral after the Cohen hearing. He's real, and he loves Trump". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  3. ^ Bekiempis, Victoria (2022-04-27). "Trump testifies he hired bodyguard after seeing his 'bravery' in a fight". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  4. ^ a b c Orden, Erica; Reid, Paula (2021-07-16). "NY prosecutors seek cooperation from Trump Organization executive Matthew Calamari". CNN Politics. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  5. ^ a b c d Shamsian, Jacob (Jun 22, 2021). "Meet Matthew Calamari, a loyal Trump employee of 40 years reportedly under scrutiny in the Trump Organization investigation". Insider. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  6. ^ Abelson, Max (September 3, 2015). "How Trump Invented Trump". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  7. ^ Kalmbacher, Colin (2021-06-21). "Prosecutors Set Their Sights on Donald Trump's Former Bodyguard, Who Has Now Lawyered Up: Report". Law & Crime. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  8. ^ Ballhaus, Rebecca; Ramey, Corinne (June 21, 2021). "Donald Trump's Former Bodyguard Under Scrutiny in New York Probe". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  9. ^ Scannell, Kara; Reid, Paula (2021-11-24). "Prosecutors tell Trump Org. executive Matthew Calamari they don't intend to bring charges for now". CNN Politics. Retrieved 2023-06-10.

External links edit