URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has set his sights on a bold redevelopment plan for Washington, D.C. public golf courses, particularly the East Potomac Golf Links. This ambitious initiative, reported by the Wall Street Journal, emerges from a logistical conundrum: the disposal of dirt generated by the demolition of the White House’s East Wing.
According to sources, aides considered dumping the soil on the Ellipse, but Interior Secretary Doug Burgum proposed a strategic alternative—using it to elevate East Potomac, a prime location on the riverfront that requires fill to mitigate flooding. Trump reportedly hailed this idea as “brilliant.”
In a revealing interview from the Oval Office, Trump expressed his desire to transform D.C.’s municipal golf courses into world-class destinations, stating, “If we do them, we’ll do it really beautifully.” This statement underscores his commitment to leading the redevelopment efforts.
However, this plan has sparked concerns within Washington’s golf community. Local residents fear that Trump’s vision could inflate costs and restrict access to the courses. Trump responded that D.C. residents would benefit from lower rates compared to outside golfers, aiming to alleviate apprehensions.
At the heart of this controversy is the National Links Trust, which holds a 50-year lease to operate East Potomac, Rock Creek Park Golf, and Langston Golf Course—significant for its history with Black golfers. Earlier this year, Trump’s administration warned the organization of potential lease default unless they accepted the East Wing’s dirt. Dump trucks swiftly arrived on site, but tensions have since escalated.
As of now, August 31 looms as a critical deadline. The Interior Department has issued a formal default notice, threatening that if the National Links Trust fails to resolve the situation, the courses could revert to federal control, paving the way for Trump’s redevelopment ambitions.
The implications of this development are significant, not only for local golfers but for the broader community in D.C. As negotiations unfold, all eyes will be on the outcome. Will Trump’s vision reshape the landscape of public golfing in the nation’s capital, or will community concerns prevail?
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
