Story perspectives

Scottish Greens push to seize Trump golf courses

4/25/2026

Summary

Polanski Demands Removal

Green Party leader Zack Polanski demanded President Donald Trump be removed from his Scottish golf courses and transferred to community ownership.
He made the demand at a Glasgow press conference on 2026-04-24 while campaigning for the Scottish Greens.
Trump owns Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire and Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire.
Sarah Malone, vice president of Trump International Scotland, called Polanski’s remarks ludicrous and labeled him an imbecile.

Summary

Polanski Defends Jobs

Polanski said job decisions lie with the Scottish Government and a Green-led Westminster would honour Scotland’s autonomy.
He argued many Clyde shipyard jobs are civilian and said Govan and Scotstoun employ 3,000 workers building Type 26 frigates, linking them to naval orders.
He noted that the UK Government holds power to call a referendum, affirmed by the 2022 Supreme Court ruling, and warned Westminster might find blocking an independence vote embarrassing.

History

Historical Context

The 1997 Scottish devolution referendum on 11 September, where 74.3 % voted for a parliament and turnout was 60.4 %, created a precedent for local control. Today Green leader Zack Polanski cites that precedent while challenging Donald Trump’s ownership of Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links, arguing that Scottish courts—reinforced by the 2022 Supreme Court ruling—can limit external influence over regional assets.

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Polanski Demands Removal

Green Party leader Zack Polanski demanded President Donald Trump be removed from his Scottish golf courses and transferred to community ownership.
He made the demand at a Glasgow press conference on 2026-04-24 while campaigning for the Scottish Greens.
Trump owns Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire and Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire.
Sarah Malone, vice president of Trump International Scotland, called Polanski’s remarks ludicrous and labeled him an imbecile.

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