Proposal for a Florida retreat

US President Donald Trump endorsed a plan on 7 October 2026 to convert a section of his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, into an official presidential compound. The initiative would designate part of the 27-hole property as a permanent retreat for sitting US leaders and visiting foreign dignitaries under the name U.S. Presidential Golf Course. Trump told reporters during an Oval Office appearance that the concept originated from discussions with the Secret Service and the military. He noted that the site offers specific security advantages, pointing out that no tall buildings overlook the fairways and residential housing sits at a distance. The property is located about two minutes from the recently renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport and a short drive from his Mar-a-Lago estate.

“It's a great idea, and it will be used a lot.”

Ownership and funding terms

The concept was formally submitted to Palm Beach County officials in September 2026 by Harvey Oyer, an attorney representing the golf club. The underlying land is leased by the club from Palm Beach County, and the proposal asks local officials to approve the formal retreat designation. Under the submitted framework, the Trump family would continue to manage the commercial golf facility while granting the federal government permanent, free access to all club amenities. An attorney representing the property confirmed that Trump and the club would fund the construction of the presidential residence and security structures as a donation. The proposal specifies that construction would only reach completion after Trump leaves office, ensuring future presidents receive complimentary memberships and accommodations.

“This wouldn't be for me. This would be for all future presidents.”

Security context and 2024 incident

The West Palm Beach course previously served as the backdrop for a foiled assassination attempt against Trump in 2024 during his election campaign. Secret Service agents spotted Ryan Routh hiding with a semi-automatic rifle in the perimeter tree line while Trump was playing golf. Agents detained Routh before he discharged any shots, and a federal court sentenced him to life in prison in February 2026. Neither the Secret Service nor the Department of Defense immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the newly proposed security perimeter. Unlike secluded military bases, the golf club borders municipal roadways where crowds of supporters and demonstrators routinely assemble during presidential visits.

Contrast with Camp David and capital projects

The envisioned retreat presents a contrast to Camp David, the rustic presidential compound established in Maryland during the Franklin Roosevelt administration. Camp David operates under the official designation of Naval Support Facility Thurmont and is staffed continuously by US Navy and Marine Corps personnel inside Catoctin Mountain Park. The Florida proposal joins a sequence of construction initiatives pursued by Trump since his return to the presidency. In Washington, Trump has initiated the construction of a White House ballroom, the demolition of the East Wing, gold leaf additions inside the Oval Office, and a triumphal arch. He has also advanced plans to renovate the Kennedy Center, refurbish the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, rebuild a golf course in East Potomac Park, and erect a presidential library in Miami.