The White House is reviewing a proposal to turn President Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club into a permanent presidential retreat, putting it in the same conversation as Camp David. If it goes through, Trump International Golf Club would become the official spot where future presidents host world leaders and tee off on the taxpayer’s good graces, except in this case, the club isn’t asking the taxpayer for a dime.
The idea kicked off with a letter from the golf club’s attorney to Palm Beach County commissioners. The club proposed a partnership with the county to designate the site as the “permanent United States presidential golf course,” and said it would provide access to its facilities at no cost to the federal government. Past, current, and future presidents would all be welcome, regardless of political affiliation. Foreign heads of state, too. Basically, every important person on the planet gets to play through.
The club also proposed building a “presidential lodging facility,” with the club itself covering construction costs and working directly with the Secret Service on the design. That’s a pretty good deal for the federal government, which usually finds a way to spend money even when something is free. You can catch up on the Trump golf club retreat proposal as the story continues to develop.
The site has a few things going for it beyond the obvious. The letter pointed to the course’s existing security features, its close proximity to the airport, and limited surrounding development as reasons it’s well suited for a presidential retreat. Since the club leases the land from Palm Beach County, the county would have a role in the project too, making this a rare three-way partnership between a private club, local government, and the feds that somehow doesn’t end in a congressional hearing.
One thing worth pointing out: the club itself doesn’t expect the project to be finished before President Trump leaves office. The letter was explicit that this is intended for his successors. So Trump is essentially working to build a world-class presidential retreat that future presidents, including ones he might not love, will get to use. That’s either incredibly magnanimous or the longest game of branding ever played.
The proposal is now in the discussion and planning stage with Palm Beach County and the federal government. If it moves forward, America’s next presidential retreat could have a putting green, ocean breezes, and a whole lot more sunshine than a cabin in the Maryland mountains. Drop a comment below and tell us what you think.
