Story perspectives

Trump Proposes Permanent Presidential Golf Course at Palm Beach

9/6/2026

Center

Trump Proposes Golf

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a September 3 letter to Palm Beach County commissioners proposing Trump International Golf Club become a permanent presidential golf course.
The proposal is framed as a gift, with the club covering all presidential lodging costs and providing facilities at no federal expense.
County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo called it a historic opportunity.
A Washington, D.C. lawsuit says the plan breaches the 1897 act creating East Potomac Park.

Left

Trump Golf Proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a September 3 letter to Palm Beach County commissioners proposing Trump International Golf Club become a permanent Presidential Golf Course.
County officials said the plan could generate significant local economic activity and raise Palm Beach’s national profile.
Harvey Oyer advised leasing land to a federal agency, making Palm Beach County landlord.
East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., remained open despite demolition plan, staff said.

Blindspot

A lawsuit in Washington, D.C. alleges that Trump’s plan to redevelop the East Potomac Park golf course violates the 1897 congressional act establishing the park.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1897 Congress designated the reclaimed Potomac island as a federal park, a decision later administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps began a public golf course in 1917, opened nine holes in 1920 after planting 46,650 shrubs. Donald Trump’s September 3, 2024 plan to turn his Palm Beach club into a presidential course revives that grant model, sparking challenges.

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Trump Proposes Golf

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a September 3 letter to Palm Beach County commissioners proposing Trump International Golf Club become a permanent presidential golf course.
The proposal is framed as a gift, with the club covering all presidential lodging costs and providing facilities at no federal expense.
County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo called it a historic opportunity.
A Washington, D.C. lawsuit says the plan breaches the 1897 act creating East Potomac Park.

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