Trump proposes presidential retreat at his West Palm Beach golf club
In short
President Donald Trump wants his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, designated a permanent presidential retreat, which he likened to Camp David. A September letter from the club's attorney, Harvey Oyer, asks Palm Beach County to give part of the land to the federal government, and says the club would pay to build a presidential lodging facility. Trump said the idea was suggested to him by the military and the Secret Service.
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President Donald Trump is seeking approval from Palm Beach County officials to designate his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, as a permanent presidential retreat, Bloomberg and NBC News reported. In a letter to the county commission last month, the club's attorney, Harvey Oyer, wrote: "Just like Camp David, Windsor Castle or the Elysee Palace are known worldwide, so too will the Presidential Golf Course in Palm Beach County." NBC News quoted the same line with "Windsor Palace" in place of Windsor Castle. [ 3 , 5 ]
According to NBC News, the letter asks the county, which owns the land the course is on, to give some of it to the federal government. The club would work with the government to design a presidential lodging facility and would pay to build it. The Hill, citing The Palm Beach Post, reported that the letter offers the course for use by all past, current and future presidents and by visiting foreign heads of state. It called the plan a gift to Trump's successors, noting he would be out of office before it could be finished. CBS News reported that the cost, and who would bear it, has not been disclosed. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Speaking at an unrelated event in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said: "This was suggested to me by the military and Secret Service." He said the course has no high buildings or houses around it and that "all presidents play golf." He told reporters: "This wouldn't be for me. This would be for all future presidents." [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]
A White House official said the government had asked to look into developing a retreat at the course so future presidents could hold important meetings there. The official cited the course's nearness to the airport and to law enforcement and its security features. CBS News noted that the statement did not say whose idea it was first. [ 4 , 5 ]
Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo said the county is seriously considering the proposal, The Hill reported, citing The Washington Post. Oyer said no name has been chosen yet. [ 2 ]
The Associated Press reported that the plan would mix the presidency with Trump's business ventures after he leaves office. It noted that the course was the site of a failed attempt on Trump's life in 2024, for which the gunman was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The course is less than 5 miles from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. [ 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The Associated Press said the plan would mix the presidency with Trump's business ventures after he leaves office. The proposal needs approval from Palm Beach County, whose administrator said the county is seriously considering it. CBS News reported that the cost, and who would bear it, has not been disclosed.
Key facts
- Trump is seeking to designate his West Palm Beach golf course as a permanent presidential retreat, described as similar to Camp David. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Attorney Harvey Oyer set out the proposal in a letter to the Palm Beach County commissioners. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The letter asks the county, which owns the land the course is on, to give part of it to the federal government. [ 1 , 5 ]
- The letter says the club would pay to build a presidential lodging facility. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The retreat would be open to past, current and future presidents and to visiting foreign heads of state, according to the letter. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Trump said the idea was suggested to him by the military and the Secret Service. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The course was the site of a failed attempt on Trump's life in 2024. [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A lawyer for the club, Harvey Oyer, sent Palm Beach County commissioners a letter proposing that the course become a presidential retreat. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- A White House official said the government asked to look into developing a presidential retreat at the course. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday that the military and Secret Service suggested the idea. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- How much the retreat would cost and who would pay for it. CBS News said this has not been disclosed, while The Hill and NBC News said the letter says the club would pay to build the lodging.
- Whose idea the retreat was. Trump credited the military and Secret Service; CBS News noted the White House statement did not say whose idea it was first.
- Whether the county will approve it. Only The Hill, citing The Washington Post, reports the county administrator saying the county is seriously considering it.
- The name of the retreat. Oyer told The Washington Post that a name has not yet been chosen.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Washington Post reports the plan to turn the golf course into a new Camp David. [ 1 ]
- Bloomberg reports on the September letter from Trump's lawyer to the county commission. [ 3 ]
- CBS News reports Trump's Oval Office remarks and the White House statement. [ 4 ]
- The AP reports Trump's comments and the background of the 2024 assassination attempt at the course. [ 6 ]