WASHINGTON — President Trump asserted on Wednesday that both the U.S. Secret Service and the military proposed developing his Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach into a presidential getaway comparable to Camp David.
Speaking during an event in the Oval Office, Trump highlighted the property’s security advantages, noting the absence of tall structures or nearby residential homes that would require room inspections. “This was suggested to me by the military and Secret Service,” he said. “There are no high buildings looming over it. There are no houses on it so you don’t have houses — we have to inspect rooms. Seems that all presidents play golf.”
A White House official confirmed that the government has requested an assessment into developing the site as a retreat for future presidents to conduct important meetings and use the amenities of the world-class property. The official emphasized that the location is minutes from the Donald J. Trump International Airport, boasts strong security features, is near law enforcement, and sits on a highly rated golf course.
The Palm Beach Post first reported that an attorney for the golf course wrote to county commissioners, offering to designate the club as a presidential retreat that could also host foreign heads of state. Trump International Golf Course is frequently visited by the president when he stays at his nearby Mar-a-Lago resort.
The White House statement did not clarify whether the initial proposal originated with the administration or whom permission might be sought from. Additionally, details regarding the cost of the proposed development and who would fund it have not been disclosed.
This potential expansion of presidential facilities comes as Trump prepares to host the G20 summit of world leaders in December at a different venue, Trump National Doral Miami. During his presidency, the Secret Service has already paid the Trump Organization hundreds of thousands of dollars for stays at his properties.
This is wild. They want to turn his golf course into a retreat? Does this mean he’s playing golf with world leaders while charging the government?
No tall buildings nearby makes security sense, I guess. But designating a private country club as an official presidential facility feels… new.
So taxpayers might fund improvements to a course that Trump already owns and profits from? Need more details on who pays for what here.
Wait, the Secret Service suggested using a private business as a government retreat? That raises serious ethical questions about conflicts of interest.