Trump Plans to Move Camp David to His Golf Club
Trump's golf club lawyer has formally asked Palm Beach County to hand a parcel of county-owned land to the federal government for a permanent presidential retreat. The retreat would host foreign leaders and future U.S. presidents.
- $36.9 million: Trump's reported 2025 earnings from the West Palm Beach club.
- Future presidents would receive complimentary memberships to the adjacent private club.
- Construction would not finish before Trump leaves office, lawyer Harvey Oyer said.
- The retreat would have a separate entrance from the private club, Trump representatives told county officials.
Why it matters: The proposal blends public and private interests in an unusual way. The Trump Organization would keep operating the club and collecting lease payments — next to a federally owned presidential compound on the same land.
- Camp David, the existing presidential retreat in Maryland, is government-owned and has no commercial operation attached.
- Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo said the county is seriously considering the proposal and is in contact with the GSA.
How 22 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage agrees on the facts but divides on whether the arrangement represents a public benefit or a financial conflict of interest for a sitting president.
Center coverage, 7 sources: The center presents the proposal as an unusual but seriously considered plan, noting the financial details and the county's cautious engagement without rendering a verdict.
Bloomberg3hTrump Asks to Make Palm Beach Golf Course Into a New Camp David
Reuters1hTrump floats turning his Florida golf course into presidential retreat
The Hill8hTrump pushing to turn one of his golf courses into presidential retreat
USA Today4h'Everybody wants to go': Trump offers FL golf club as presidential siteLeft coverage, 10 sources: The left frames the proposal as a potential ethics violation — a president using the machinery of government to boost his own commercial property.
The Independent2hTrump wants his West Palm Beach golf club to be a ‘presidential retreat’
Political Wire14hTrump Wants a New Camp David — At His Own Golf Club
The Washington Post4hTrump says creating a new Camp David at his golf club is ‘a great idea’
CBS News2hTrump pitches Trump International Golf Course for site of "presidential retreat"DKDaily Kos34mNow Trump is trying to make Camp Donald happen
Mediaite12hTrump Wants a New Camp David for Future Presidents — at His Own Golf Club
MSNBC5hTrump eyes his own Florida golf club as a new Camp David for future presidents
NBC News33mTrump wants to make his West Palm Beach golf club a permanent presidential retreat
Raw Story12hTrump golf course set to become 'permanent presidential sanctuary' under new plan: reportTNRThe New Republic9hNow Trump Wants To Turn His Golf Club Into Camp DavidRight coverage, 5 sources: The right frames the plan as a practical presidential amenity, emphasizing the site's security credentials and its potential diplomatic value.
Washington Examiner9hTrump's Palm Beach golf course asks for same designation as Camp David
Daily Mail2hTrump unveils massive new pet project to transform Florida golf club into a lavish retreat for all future presidents: 'It's a great idea'
Newsmax10hTrump Wants Palm Beach Presidential Retreat
RSBNetwork3hPresident Trump eyes new location for presidential retreat
ZeroHedge4hTrump Wants To Build A New Camp David In The Most Trump Place PossibleWhat’s next: The county will select a specific parcel of land before any federal agreement can move forward.
- Multiple federal agencies, including the GSA and Secret Service, would need to be consulted.
- Who would pay for ongoing security and maintenance costs at a federally designated retreat on leased private land?
- Would Congress need to approve the land transfer or fund any part of the project?
- How would future administrations handle complimentary memberships to a club still owned by the Trump family?