Donald Trump proposes a Camp David‑style retreat at his West Palm Beach golf club

Trump’s proposal

Donald Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday that the Secret Service had floated the idea of using his Trump International Golf Club as a new presidential retreat. "It's a great idea," he told reporters, adding that the site is "as safe as they could possibly get" because there are no high buildings or windows nearby.

What the plan entails

A letter dated 3 September from the club’s attorney to the Palm Beach County Commission, obtained by the local press, offers to designate the property as a "U.S. Presidential Golf Course". The document states the club would:

• Front all construction costs as a "gift" to the American people;
• Provide free membership to any future president;
• Offer the facilities at no cost to the federal government.

Trump said the location is "only about two minutes away from the airport" and that presidents could "spend the weekend there, like a retreat, like a sort of Camp David retreat".

How it differs from Camp David

Camp David, nestled in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland, is a rustic federal enclave staffed by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Its cabins and lodges are deliberately modest, and security is managed by military personnel. By contrast, Trump International Golf Club is a 27‑hole private resort with a clubhouse, fine‑dining venues and a gift shop, all surrounded by paved roads that can accommodate crowds of supporters or protesters.

Legal and fiscal questions

If the club were to become an official retreat, the federal government would be using a privately owned facility without spending on construction or maintenance. Critics argue that such an arrangement could blur the line between public duty and private benefit, especially since the club’s amenities would remain available to Trump’s allies and donors when not in presidential use. No federal agency has confirmed the proposal, and the Secret Service has not commented.

Reactions and next steps

While no official decision has been announced, the letter signals that local officials are now reviewing the request. Observers note that the move follows other Trump‑era projects that invoke national‑security rhetoric to justify changes to federal property, such as the proposed White House ballroom and a triumphal arch in Washington.

If approved, the club would become the first privately funded presidential retreat, setting a precedent that future administrations might either embrace or reject depending on political winds.