The Trump administration terminates leases of public golf courses in Washington D.C. over investments and future plans.
The U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has terminated the lease agreements for three historic public golf courses located in the heart of Washington, D.C.: Rock Creek, Langston, and East Potomac. Notably, East Potomac Golf Course offers players a stunning view of the Washington Monument and the surrounding landscape. This move reflects the president’s general pattern of prioritizing his brand and vision over city infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
NLT Invested Millions in Renovation and Modernization
The National Links Trust (NLT), a nonprofit organization managing these three courses for about five years, claims to have invested $8.5 million in renovations. The NLT engaged renowned golf architects Gil Hanse, Tom Doak, and Beau Welling to lead the refurbishment efforts, all providing their expertise pro bono. Thanks to these investments, the NLT has doubled rounds played and revenue generated during its management.
In mid-December 2025, Donald Trump threatened to terminate the leases, alleging that NLT violated lease agreements, a claim the NLT denies and expressed confusion over. Earlier, in October, the government controversially dumped demolition debris from the White House’s demolished East Wing on East Potomac’s grounds.
Trump Administration Enforces Lease Termination
On Wednesday, the government followed through on its threat and ended the 50-year lease agreements with NLT, accusing the trust of failing to meet required investments and certain lease terms. The golf courses are primarily on National Park Service land, an Interior Department agency.
The NLT expressed deep disappointment over the decision, emphasizing that since taking over five years ago, it has fulfilled all contractual obligations to secure a positive future for public golf in Washington, D.C. The trust also strongly contested the government’s claims of contract violations. The Interior Department responded by emphasizing the administration’s pride in fulfilling its duties for the American people and collaborating with partners who share those goals.
East Potomac at the Center of Trump’s Golf Vision
East Potomac has become a focal point of the president’s interest due to its spectacular views of the Washington Monument and Potomac River. The site’s renovation is considered a model for democratizing golf nationwide. However, sources familiar with the administration’s plans reveal Trump intends to transform East Potomac into a championship course capable of hosting professional tournaments, potentially including the Ryder Cup. Although the next available Ryder Cup dates are in 2037 at Congressional Golf Club near Washington and then in 2041, Trump plans to replace the volunteer architects with Tom Fazio, who has longstanding ties to the president.
In December, Trump promised that DC residents would continue to enjoy discounted play on any redesigned course, a claim that contrasts with the notoriously expensive memberships and fees at his dozen private golf clubs worldwide.