Trump Plans Grandiose Golf Course Project in D.C. Park

Debris from East Wing demolition dumped at East Potomac Golf Links as part of secret plan

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former President Donald Trump is planning to transform the East Potomac Golf Links, a 210-acre public park in Washington, D.C., into a "U.S. Open-caliber" championship golf course. The Trump administration has already started dumping an estimated 30,000 cubic yards of soil from the demolition of the White House's East Wing into the park, and has abruptly terminated the 50-year-old lease held by the nonprofit National Links Trust that operated the affordable public golf course.

Why it matters

The plan to redevelop the public park into an elite golf course has drawn widespread criticism from leading golf course architects, who say the site's constraints make it unsuitable for hosting major tournaments. The proposed project would also require demolishing beloved public amenities like the cycling path, picnic area, and historic cherry blossom trees, raising concerns about the loss of affordable public green space in the nation's capital.

The details

Dump trucks started arriving at the East Potomac Golf Links in October 2026, dumping soil from the demolition of the White House's East Wing. Soon after, the Trump administration terminated the 50-year lease held by the nonprofit National Links Trust, which had operated the affordable public golf course. Trump hopes to transform the 210-acre park into a "U.S. Open-caliber" championship golf course to host major tournaments, but golf course architects have universally expressed skepticism, citing the site's constraints such as its flat, man-made island geography, lack of topographic interest, and inability to accommodate the crowds and infrastructure required for major events.

  • In October 2026, dump trucks started arriving at the East Potomac Golf Links to dump soil from the demolition of the White House's East Wing.
  • Soon after the dump trucks arrived, the Trump administration abruptly terminated the 50-year lease held by the National Links Trust to operate the affordable public golf course.

The players

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who is planning to transform the East Potomac Golf Links into a "U.S. Open-caliber" championship golf course.

National Links Trust

A nonprofit organization that had held a 50-year lease to operate the affordable public golf course at the East Potomac Golf Links.

Mark Mungeam

President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, who called Trump's plan "a crazy idea".

Robert Trent Jones Jr.

A former president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, who said "It's a great aspiration, but technically, I think this land is not big enough" for Trump's proposed championship golf course.

Bryan King

A 68-year-old mural painter from Arlington, Virginia who played a round of golf at the East Potomac Golf Links and said "There's plenty of very expensive country clubs in this area already. This has always been kind of, like, the people's course."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's a great aspiration, but technically, I think this land is not big enough.”

— Robert Trent Jones Jr., Former President, American Society of Golf Course Architects

“There's an opportunity to figure out how to work together and accomplish something great. I don't know why that hasn't been a conversation.”

— Mike McCartin, Leader, National Links Trust

“It'll be a real loss for a lot of people in the city.”

— Bryan King, Mural Painter, Arlington, Virginia

What’s next

The Trump administration has not provided any details on a timeline, cost projections, or plans to maintain affordability for the public after the proposed transformation of the East Potomac Golf Links.

The takeaway

Trump's plan to redevelop the public East Potomac Golf Links into an elite championship golf course highlights the former president's disregard for preserving affordable public green spaces and amenities in the nation's capital, despite widespread opposition from golf experts and local residents who value the course as a community resource.