The Trump administration terminates leases of public golf courses in Washington D.C. over investments and future plans.
The government of US President Donald Trump announced the termination of lease agreements for three public golf courses in the capital Washington, D.C. These include the historically significant Rock Creek, Langston, and East Potomac golf courses located within the city. Particularly, East Potomac golf course is prominently situated in view of the Washington Monument, offering players an excellent landscape view. This decision to cancel the leases reflects the president’s general pattern of prioritizing his brand and vision over urban infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
NLT Invested Millions in Renovation and Modernization
The National Links Trust (NLT) has operated the three named golf courses for about five years as a non-profit organization and claims to have invested $8.5 million in refurbishing the facilities. A comprehensive renovation plan was presented, and the NLT engaged golf architects Gil Hanse, Tom Doak, and Beau Welling to lead the course restorations. The architects committed their expertise free of charge. Thanks to the investments in modernization, NLT was able to double both the number of rounds played and the revenues during their operation.
As early as mid-December 2025, Donald Trump threatened the National Links Trust (NLT) with lease termination for the three public golf courses in Washington, D.C., alleging the NLT breached lease agreements. NLT denied any knowledge of alleged breaches and expressed confusion over the administration’s threats in December. Already in October, the government had dumped debris from the demolished East Wing of the White House onto the East Potomac site.
Trump Administration Enforces Termination of 50-Year Leases
On Wednesday, the US government followed through on its threat and terminated the 50-year lease agreements with NLT, citing failure to implement necessary investments and compliance breaches of specific lease terms. The golf courses are primarily located on National Park Service lands overseen by the Department of the Interior.
\”The National Links Trust is deeply dismayed by the Trump administration’s decision to terminate our 50-year lease with the National Park Service,\” stated the organization. \”Since taking responsibility for Rock Creek, East Potomac, and Langston golf courses five years ago, NLT has consistently fulfilled all contractual obligations to ensure the best possible future for public golf in Washington, D.C.\”
NLT emphasized its fundamental disagreement with the government’s claim that it violated the lease. The Department of the Interior responded, \”The Trump administration is proud to fulfill its duties to the American people and collaborate with partners sharing the same vision.\”
East Potomac in the Spotlight of Trump’s Golf Vision
East Potomac has attracted presidential interest due to its stunning views of the Washington Monument and Potomac River and is considered a potential model for nationwide democratization of golf. However, according to three sources familiar with the administration’s plans, Trump intends to transform East Potomac into a championship course capable of hosting professional tournaments, possibly including the Ryder Cup. Notably, the next available Ryder Cup slot is in 2041, following the 2037 event scheduled at the Congressional Golf Club near the capital. Trump’s vision includes replacing the volunteer architects with Tom F