The Trump administration cancels leases of Washington, D.C.’s public golf courses amid disputes over investments and future plans.
The government of U.S. President Donald Trump has terminated the lease agreements for three public golf courses in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. These are the historically significant courses Rock Creek, Langston, and East Potomac, located within the city. Especially the East Potomac course is prominently situated within view of the Washington Monument, offering players an excellent landscape view. This decision to end the leases reflects the president’s pattern of prioritizing his brand and vision over the city infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
NLT Invested Millions in Renovation and Modernization
The National Links Trust (NLT) has operated the three mentioned golf courses as a nonprofit organization for about five years and claims to have already invested $8.5 million to renovate the facilities. An extensive renovation plan was submitted, and NLT appointed golf architects Gil Hanse, Tom Doak, and Beau Welling to lead the course restorations. The architects agreed to provide their expertise free of charge. The investments in modernization have doubled the number of rounds played and revenues during the operating period.
Already in mid-December 2025, Donald Trump threatened the National Links Trust (NLT) with termination of the leases for the three public golf courses in Washington, D.C., as the U.S. government believed the NLT had violated lease agreement terms. The NLT, however, stated no knowledge of alleged breaches and expressed confusion about the government’s threats. In October, the government had already dumped debris from the demolished East Wing of the White House on the East Potomac grounds.
Trump Administration Enforces Termination of 50-Year Leases
On Wednesday, the U.S. government followed through on its threat and canceled the 50-year lease agreements with the NLT, citing insufficient investments and failure to meet specific lease provisions. The golf courses are mainly on National Park Service land, an agency under the Department of the Interior.
\”The National Links Trust is deeply saddened by the Trump administration’s decision to terminate our 50-year lease with the National Park Service,\” the organization stated. \”Since assuming responsibility for Rock Creek, East Potomac, and Langston golf courses five years ago, the NLT has consistently met all contractual obligations to ensure the best possible future for public golf in Washington, D.C.\”
The NLT emphasized its fundamental disagreement with the government’s claim of lease violations. The Department of the Interior responded: \”The Trump administration is proud to fulfill its duties for the American people and to work with partners who share the same goals.\”
East Potomac in the Spotlight of Trump’s Golf Vision
East Potomac has become a focal point of the president’s interest. Offering breathtaking views of the Washington Monument and the Potomac River, the renovation of the site is seen as a potential model for nationwide democratization of golf. According to three sources familiar with the administration’s intentions, Trump plans to convert East Potomac into a championship course capable of hosting professional tournaments, possibly including the Ryder Cup. However, the next available Ryder Cup date is in 2041, with the 2037 event already scheduled at Congressional Golf Club near