US President Donald Trump is proposing to establish a presidential retreat at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, aiming to create an alternative to the traditional Camp David. The club would reportedly bear the construction costs as a "gift" to Americans and provide free memberships to future presidents, as well as accommodations for visiting foreign dignitaries.
President Trump stated on Wednesday that the location is approximately two minutes from the airport, suggesting it could serve as a weekend retreat. He also mentioned that Secret Service officials first proposed the idea, highlighting the club's security, with an absence of high buildings and homes that could conceal individuals.
A letter dated 3 September from the golf course's attorney to the Florida county commission indicated Trump's offer to designate the club as a "U.S. Presidential Golf Course" for presidents and heads of state. The letter, obtained by USA TODAY's Palm Beach Post, specifies that the club would provide access to all its facilities at no cost to the federal government.
If realised, this transformed golf estate would contrast with the rustic nature of Camp David, which began as a Great Depression-era camp. Trump has previously made changes to the White House, including gilded accents in the Oval Office and the construction of a ballroom, and is pursuing plans for a triumphal arch in Washington.