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A lawyer for Trump International Golf Club sent a letter last month to Palm Beach County commissioners outlining the plan to create a permanent presidential compound on a portion of the property while allowing the rest to continue operating as a private course. The Washington Post reported that the proposal includes building a presidential residence and related facilities at no cost to the government, with future presidents also receiving complimentary memberships to the club. Harvey Oyer, the attorney representing the club, wrote that the site would gain the same international recognition as Camp David, Windsor Castle or the Elysee Palace. County officials have begun discussions with the General Services Administration on identifying a suitable parcel, according to the newspaper.
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the idea was suggested to him by the military and Secret Service, citing the property’s lack of nearby high-rises or residential housing as key security advantages. “It’s a great idea, and it will be used a lot,” Trump said, adding that the location sits about two minutes from the airport now named President Donald J. Trump International Airport. He stressed the retreat would serve all future presidents rather than himself and noted that presidents tend to play golf. Reuters reported that Trump said he agreed to the request after being approached by those agencies.
The Palm Beach Post first disclosed the proposal, which envisions the site hosting international summits, foreign leaders and presidential vacations in Florida. Under the terms, the Trump Organization would maintain its lease payments to the county for the golf course portion while coordinating construction with the Secret Service and General Services Administration. Oyer told The Washington Post that no name has yet been chosen for the presidential facilities, which would feature a separate entrance from the club.
Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo indicated to The Washington Post that staff are evaluating the offer positively, viewing it as a way to position the area as a global destination for diplomacy. The county owns the underlying land and has leased it to the Trump Organization since a prior settlement related to flight paths over nearby Mar-a-Lago. Local leaders have described the project as a potential economic and prestige boost for the region if approved.
Camp David, the existing presidential retreat in Maryland established by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, has hosted every subsequent president and landmark talks such as the 1978 accords between Egypt and Israel, according to the White House Historical Association. Trump has previously expressed dissatisfaction with the facility because it lacks a golf course, a feature his Florida property would provide. USA Today reported that the new retreat would complement rather than replace Camp David for future administrations.
The Trump International Golf Club was the site of a foiled assassination attempt in 2024 when an armed suspect was arrested near the course before any shots were fired, according to court records from the case that resulted in a life sentence. Trump has frequently used his Florida properties for official and personal activities during both terms. The proposal arrives as county staff prepare to negotiate specifics with federal agencies on security, access and long-term operations.
