Trump golf club lawyer proposes permanent presidential retreat at West Palm Beach course

Left · 2Lawyers for Donald Trump's West Palm Beach golf club are pursuing a plan to turn part of the course into a permanent presidential retreat modeled on Camp David, according to The Washington Post. 1 2 Left · 2The proposal would designate a portion of the course as a presidential golf course for past, present and future presidents, and it would host foreign leaders. Raw Story, citing the Post, says it would be an "official sanctuary for foreign leaders and future U.S. presidents" and that future presidents would be offered comped memberships. 1 2 Left · 2In a letter sent in September to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, the club's attorney Harvey Oyer wrote that "Just as Camp David, Windsor Castle, or the Élysée Palace are known worldwide, so too will the Presidential Golf Course in Palm Beach County." Oyer told the Post no name has been chosen yet. 1 2

Left · 2Raw Story says the county owns the land the course sits on and that Oyer asked it to give a piece to the federal government, with Trump paying for a presidential residence and facilities. The Independent describes a structure in which Trump "grants" the county the legal right to the land, and the county then leases it to a federal agency. It says the lodging would be designed with the General Services Administration and the Secret Service. 1 2 Left · 2Oyer's letter called the project "a gift that the president would like to share with his successors," and noted that Trump would be out of office before it is completed. The club would keep operating under the Trump family company, and the Post noted it would likely see more business from lasting presidential importance. 2 1 Left · 2An anonymous White House official told the Post the site has what a retreat needs: it is minutes from the Donald J. Trump International Airport, has no buildings looming or houses along the course, has strong security features and is close to law enforcement. 1 2

Left · 2County Administrator Joe Abruzzo said the county is looking at the proposal. Raw Story quotes him saying the county is in contact with the GSA and will select a parcel, and that Trump views this as "a lasting contribution to the presidency." The Independent quotes his statement that he looks forward to exploring "this historic opportunity" under the commissioners' direction. 1 2 Left · 2Raw Story, citing Reuters, says Trump International Golf Club earned Trump $36.9 million in his first year back in office, according to his financial disclosures. The Independent adds background: the course opened in 1999 and was the first golf property Trump operated. Camp David is a 125-acre retreat in Maryland owned by the Department of Defense. The Independent said it had contacted the county and the Trump Organization for comment. 1 2