Trump wants to take over Washington’s public golf courses, sparking fears over affordable access and community plans.
Washington, D.C. is home to three public golf courses—Rock Creek, Langston, and East Potomac—managed by the nonprofit National Links Trust (NLT) since 2019. The organization aims to restore these historic courses through donations while keeping them accessible and affordable. However, NLT now faces a major challenge: President Donald Trump wants to take control of the courses and implement his own vision.
According to an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump, a passionate golfer, is working with the Department of the Interior to terminate NLT’s 50-year lease with the National Park Service, which oversees the land. This would nullify years of planning by the NLT, including a pro bono redesign of East Potomac’s Blue Course by renowned architect Tom Doak.
NLT devastated by Trump’s intervention
NLT co-founder Will Smith expressed dismay in the WSJ interview, saying, “We’re devastated.” The group’s mission was to maintain affordable green fees and ensure golf remained accessible to all D.C. residents. Their plans for East Potomac included improved topography, scenic views of the Potomac River, and a community-focused design.
Trump reportedly prefers a more extravagant approach, favoring designer Tom Fazio—known for creating courses for Trump’s private clubs. The proposed redesign includes tournament-level features, artificial lakes, and signature Trump touches like pristine cart paths and halfway hotdogs.
White House rubble dumped on East Potomac
In a controversial move, debris from the East Wing demolition—where Trump plans to build a $200 million ballroom—is being dumped on East Potomac’s Blue Course. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum suggested using the rubble for course renovations, an idea Trump called “brilliant.” Trucks began delivering the material in late October.
NLT received a letter from the federal government in October demanding they resolve an unspecified “default” by December 13. Media speculate this refers to delays in using the dumped debris or starting renovations.
A… scoop? Multiple workers tell me that dirt from the demolition of the East Wing of the White House (to make way for Trump’s new $200 million ballroom) is being trucked to the north end of the Hains Point golf course. It will then be used to create new terrain on the course. pic.twitter.com/emetxUvhIV
— Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) October 22, 2025
Trump promises ‘beautiful’ public courses
Trump accused NLT of breaching their lease and warned that unless they act by year