The New Camp David? Trump Wants His West Palm Golf Course To Be Presidential Retreat

President Trump wants to leave something for future presidents to enjoy. It’s not surprising that it’s a golf course.Mr. Trump, an avid golfer with multiple golf properties, said on Wednesday he is pursuing plans to convert a portion of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach into an official presidential retreat akin to Camp David.Conceptualized as an executive retreat, plans are to establish the property as a permanent, secure sanctuary where future presidents and visiting world leaders can spend a time on the greens.“It’s a great idea and it’ll be used a lot,” Mr. Trump said during an event in the Oval Office. “It seems that all presidents play golf.”Suggesting the concept was originally proposed by the United States Secret Service, Mr. Trump said the getaway will be tailored to executive needs. Trump International Golf Club would be designed as a “U.S. Presidential Golf Course.” It sits a short drive from Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate with close proximity to Donald J. Trump International Airport.The property is said to be isolated from residential neighborhoods and tall buildings that can typically pose security risks. It’s also the site of an incident in September 2024 when a Secret Service agent spotted an armed suspect hiding along the perimeter fence while the then former President was playing golf during a break while campaigning for his second term. Ryan Routh, 58, was later apprehended, convicted of attempted assassination, and sentenced to life in prison.Under a formal proposal presented to Palm Beach County, the Trump Organization, which owns the golf course while leasing the land from the county, would build a presidential residence and lodging facilities at its own expense. The executive compound would feature a separate entrance from the private club and provide complimentary access to the federal government. Future U.S. presidents would be offered complimentary memberships.Historically, U.S. presidents have utilized Camp David — a Maryland retreat established by Franklin D. Roosevelt and later named by Dwight D. Eisenhower — for quiet weekends and diplomatic summits. Mr. Trump has preferred to relax at his commercial properties in Florida, New Jersey and Virginia.In a letter to county commissioners, Harvey Oyer, an attorney representing the golf course, framed the initiative as a historic gesture. “This is a gift that the President would like to share with his successors, the people of America, and his fellow Palm Beach County residents,” Mr. Oyer wrote in a letter obtained by the Palm Beach Post. “It should be noted that President Trump will be out of office before this proposed project could be completed so this is a gift to his successors.”Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo confirmed that local officials are actively evaluating the proposal and coordinating with the General Services Administration. The Trump Organization has assured the county the club will continue paying its regular lease obligations while adding the government compound.The “U.S. Presidential Golf Course,” is the latest in Mr. Trump’s effort to leave a lasting imprint on his presidency. They include efforts to build a White House ballroom, renovate the Oval Office, erect a triumphal arch, renovate the Kennedy Center, refurbish the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, rebuild a golf course in East Potomac Park and create a presidential library in Miami.

The New Camp David? Trump Wants His West Palm Golf Course To Be Presidential Retreat

The New Camp David? Trump Wants His West Palm Golf Course To Be Presidential Retreat

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