fitri-handayani
US President Donald Trump has floated the idea of establishing a presidential retreat modelled on Camp David at his own luxury golf club in Florida, a proposal that would see the property cover construction costs as a gift to the American people while offering free memberships to future presidents and accommodation for visiting foreign dignitaries.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump described the concept as a natural fit, noting that the club sits only a short drive from an airport and could serve as a weekend getaway for presidents and their guests. He likened the arrangement to Camp David, the long-standing presidential country residence tucked away in the Maryland mountains, saying leaders could spend time there in a retreat setting.
The plan, if realised, would place a glittering golf estate in stark contrast to the rustic character of Camp David, which began life as a Depression-era camp for federal employees before being transformed into a presidential escape. It would also represent yet another longstanding tradition reshaped by Trump, who has already left a visible mark on the White House with gilded accents in the Oval Office, the demolition of the East Wing and the construction of a ballroom, as well as plans for a large triumphal arch elsewhere in Washington.
Camp David, officially known as Naval Support Facility Thurmont, is nestled deep within Catoctin Mountain Park in Frederick County, Maryland. It was first claimed as a retreat by President Franklin Roosevelt, who gave it the nickname Shangri-La. The site retains a deliberately unassuming feel, with wood and stone cabins and lodges forming most of the complex, and it is staffed entirely by uniformed Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Marines guard its perimeter, the airspace above it is restricted, and it does not appear on maps of the surrounding national park, even though locals know where it is.
Access to Camp David is tightly controlled, and press visits are exceedingly rare. During a recent trip by the BBC, reporters travelling with the White House press pool were instructed not to photograph unauthorised areas or disclose details about the layout of the camp. This secrecy has helped the facility host sensitive diplomatic engagements over the decades, including a trilateral summit in 2023 at which President Joe Biden welcomed the Japanese and South Korean leaders.
By contrast, Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach is thoroughly embedded in the life of the surrounding city, connected by a network of roads that are sometimes lined with supporters or protesters when the president is in residence. The 27-hole course and club markets itself as offering a lively social scene and fine dining, and it is frequently visited by Trump's political allies during his weekends in Florida. It features a luxurious clubhouse, a gift shop and a busy calendar of social events for members.
Trump's emphasis on security is a recurring theme in his justification for the proposal. He argued that the golf club's surroundings, which lack the tall buildings and overlooking homes found in some urban settings, would make it easier to protect. He said there would be no windows for potential threats to hide behind, allowing for what he described as maximum safety. The president added that he believed the site would be used frequently and called the concept a great idea.
The president also indicated that the idea originated with Secret Service officials, who he said first raised the possibility of using the golf club as a presidential retreat. He told reporters the location was about as safe as could be, reinforcing his broader argument that security concerns justify the project. The BBC has reached out to the Secret Service for comment on the matter.
Trump has increasingly invoked national security and public safety arguments to defend various construction projects in Washington, including the White House ballroom and the planned triumphal arch. His latest proposal extends that pattern to Florida, where his private business interests and his presidential duties intersect. The golf club is one of his most prominent properties, and converting it into an official retreat would blur the lines between his personal brand and the institutions of the presidency.
When asked whether the new retreat might be called Camp Donald, Trump demurred, pointing out that the property already bears his name. He described it as one of the best golf courses in the world, suggesting that its existing identity was strong enough without a new nickname. The exchange underscored how central his personal properties have become to his vision of the presidency.
A letter dated 3 September from an attorney for the golf course was referenced in the source material, though further details about its contents were not provided. The correspondence could signal that formal discussions about the proposal are already underway, potentially addressing legal, financial or logistical questions related to using a private club for official government purposes.
If the plan advances, it would raise a series of practical and ethical questions. Presidential retreats are traditionally government-owned facilities staffed by military personnel and funded through public appropriations. A retreat housed at a private club that offers free memberships to future presidents and accommodations to foreign dignitaries would create an unusual arrangement, one that could require careful vetting to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of profiting from the office.
Supporters of the idea might argue that the club's existing infrastructure and security advantages make it an attractive alternative to Camp David, which is isolated and requires significant resources to maintain. Critics, however, could contend that the proposal enriches the president's business while using the prestige of the presidency to elevate his private brand. The question of who ultimately bears the cost of construction and ongoing operations would also be central to any congressional or public debate.
Camp David's enduring appeal lies partly in its simplicity and its separation from the commercial world. It has hosted foreign leaders, facilitated sensitive negotiations and provided presidents with a quiet refuge far from Washington. Replicating that atmosphere at a bustling golf resort, complete with a clubhouse and social calendar, would represent a significant departure from the traditional model and could change how future presidents conduct retreats and diplomacy.
For now, the proposal remains a public suggestion rather than a confirmed plan. Trump has a history of floating ideas that generate attention and then either fading or evolving over time. Whether the golf club retreat becomes a reality will depend on a range of factors, including security assessments, legal review and the willingness of the club and the government to formalise an arrangement. The coming months may reveal whether the vision moves from a remark in the Oval Office to an actual fixture of the American presidency.
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