So Long, Waldorf: Obama Forsakes Historic Hotel After Sale to Chinese Co

What’s really behind the decision to move US President Barack Obama and his staff from the traditional presidential stay at Manhattan’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel next week for the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly?

Obama will break the long-standing tradition of staying at the Waldorf-Astoria, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest announced on Friday, ending months of speculation that the president and his staff would forsake the hotel after its sale to a Chinese company.  So what gives?  An act of protest?  Genuine concerns over alleged cybersecurity threats posed by Beijing?  

According to a senior White House official, the presidential entourage will be staying elsewhere "due to costs and space needs of the US government as well as security concerns," CNN reported.  The unnamed official did not cite cybersecurity concerns specifically.

It's no secret that the US has long been dubious of China for cyberspying, despite the inability of officials to produce proof of their allegations.

Instead of the Waldorf, the New York Palace Hotel will host Obama and his staff during the UNGA trip, Earnest said Friday.

American presidents have long relied on the posh Waldorf-Astoria for visits to New York. In July, however, accompanied by his daughters Sasha and Malia, Obama opted for New York's Millennium One Hotel.

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who in July pointed fingers at China as the "leading suspect" for the hack into the Office of Personnel Management which affected more than 20 million US federal employees, said that the likelihood of a large-scale, debilitating cyberattack against the United States is not as likely as continued, lower-level threats.