President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, his support for a proposal to establish a presidential retreat at his private golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The plan, which Trump said was suggested by the U.S. Secret Service, would designate a portion of the Trump International Golf Club as a secure location for future presidents and visiting foreign dignitaries, similar to the existing Camp David retreat in Maryland.
The proposal follows a history of presidents utilizing personal properties or government retreats for official business and leisure. Camp David, located in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland, has served as a presidential country residence since the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. While Trump has hosted events at Camp David, he has frequently spent weekends at his own clubs in Florida, New Jersey, and Virginia. The current proposal would represent a formal designation of his private property for federal use beyond his own term.
According to a letter dated September 3 from attorney Harvey Oyer to Palm Beach County commissioners, the golf club would pay for all construction costs and provide free access to the federal government as a "gift." The project would include presidential lodging and a separate entrance from the private club members. Trump stated in the Oval Office that the retreat is intended for his successors rather than himself, noting the property's proximity to an airport and its security advantages, such as a lack of high-rise buildings overlooking the course.
The proposal affects future U.S. presidents, visiting foreign heads of state, and the local government of Palm Beach County, which currently leases the land to the Trump Organization. If approved, the federal government would receive access to the facilities and memberships for future presidents at no cost to the government for construction or entry. However, the arrangement involves a private business owned by a sitting president, which according to financial disclosures, earned approximately $37 million during his first year back in office.
For the public and local residents, the change would formalize a high-security zone within a developed area of West Palm Beach. Unlike the secluded, military-staffed environment of Camp David—where activities and layouts are largely hidden from public view—Trump International is situated near major roadways. While Trump described the location as secure, the golf course was the site of a 2024 assassination attempt where an armed man was spotted in the trees. The man was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
The next steps for the project depend on the Palm Beach County Commission, which must approve changes to the lease. Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo stated that local officials are interested in exploring the proposal, characterizing it as a potential historic opportunity for the region. Because the project is not expected to be completed before Trump leaves office, its ultimate utility will depend on the willingness of future administrations to utilize a facility branded under their predecessor's name. No specific timeline for a county vote or the start of construction was reported.