Donald Trump’s DC golf course renovation
President Donald Trump plans to renovate the public golf course at East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. A National Park Service construction forecast puts the potential value of the project between $20 million and $49 million.
The National Park Service expects to solicit construction bids in January 2027. Trump had said in June that renovation work would begin Sept. 1, but major construction had not begun as of September 2026, while the project remained subject to federal environmental and historic-preservation reviews.
How much could Trump’s golf course cost
National Park Service documents show a preliminary cost range of $20 million to $49 million for the East Potomac Park redesign. The final price will depend on the scope of construction once bidding officially begins.
The Department of the Interior plans to open the bidding process in January 2027, CNN reported on September 17, 2026. Officials have not yet publicly released a final construction budget or a full completion timeline.
East Potomac Park’s century-old course
East Potomac Park is a man-made island in Washington, D.C., created from material dredged from the Potomac River. Congress established the park in 1897 for public recreation.
The first 18 holes of the East Potomac Park Golf Course were built between 1918 and 1923, and the park’s three golf courses were developed between 1918 and 1939. Roughly 210 acres of the park are occupied by the 36-hole golf complex.
Trump ends National Links Trust golf lease
Trump ends National Links Trust golf lease
The National Park Service signed a 50-year lease with the nonprofit National Links Trust in 2020 to operate and renovate 3 Washington, D.C., golf courses. The Interior Department terminated the lease in December 2025, citing alleged failures to meet required capital improvements and other lease conditions.
National Links Trust disputes the termination and says it invested more than $8.5 million in capital improvements. The nonprofit also says rounds played and revenue more than doubled during its management of the courses.
Redesign would shrink East Potomac to 18 holes
Plans released by the Trump administration show a proposal to reduce East Potomac’s current 36-hole golf complex to a single 18-hole championship course. The redesign would expand golf into roughly 50 acres of parkland currently used for picnicking, fishing, cycling and other recreation.
Earlier renderings did not clearly show the East Potomac Miniature Golf Course or some existing public-use areas. The status of the park’s historic cherry trees has also been debated, although architect Tom Fazio has said he intends to preserve them.
Golfers sue over Trump’s DC course redesign
Golfers sue over Trump’s D.C. course redesign
In February 2026, 2 recreational golfers and the D.C. Preservation League filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s planned overhaul of East Potomac Golf Links. The plaintiffs sued the Department of the Interior and National Park Service.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Administrative Procedure Act, National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act and the 1897 law establishing East Potomac Park. The case remained active as of September 2026, with federal court hearings continuing over the proposed redevelopment.
Interior Department hires firm for golf design
The Department of the Interior awarded a contract to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, a firm based in Massachusetts, for digital design services on the new course. Court filings indicate the deal was worth close to $400,000.
Separately, Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have said they aim to raise as much as $150 million in private donations for DC’s public golf courses. It remains unclear how much would fund East Potomac specifically.
Trump toured East Potomac Park course in June
Trump toured East Potomac Golf Links on June 28, 2026, with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House aides and golf architect Tom Fazio and his son, Gavin Fazio. Trump said renovation work would begin Sept. 1.
As of September 2026, major construction had not begun. The National Park Service has since forecast a construction solicitation for January 2027, while the administration continues environmental and historic-preservation work on the project.
Fun fact: Official White House records show Trump traveled by Marine One to Trump National Golf Club Washington, D.C. in Sterling, Virginia, in May 2026.
Trump wants course to host the U.S. Open
Trump has said the rebuilt East Potomac course could eventually host major professional tournaments once construction finishes. In a June social media post, he named the U.S. Open, the Ryder Cup, and the PGA Championship.
Some reports describe the planned facility under the working name Washington National Golf Course. No major golf organization has publicly confirmed plans to award East Potomac Park a future championship as of mid September 2026.
Trump has multiple construction projects in DC
The golf course is one of several major construction projects Trump has pursued in Washington DC. Others include a $400 million White House ballroom and a planned triumphal arch near the National Mall.
A Trump-appointed board at the Kennedy Center also voted to add his name to the venue, renaming it the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Several of these projects face pending lawsuits.
White House debris was dumped at the park
Debris from the demolished East Wing of the White House was dumped at East Potomac Park, forming a 3-story mound near one of the golf courses. The material has remained on site for months.
The National Park Service has said the debris tested positive for lead, chromium, and other toxic metals. Officials have not announced a removal date or a cleanup plan for the material as of September 2026.
The course has a civil rights history in DC
East Potomac’s golf course played an important role in Washington’s civil rights history. On June 29, 1941, Black golfers Asa Williams, George Williams and Cecil R. Shamwell played an 18-hole round at the previously segregated course under U.S. Park Police protection.
After learning about the protest, Interior Secretary Harold Ickes ordered Washington’s federally operated golf courses opened to Black players. The action helped advance the integration of recreational facilities in Washington during the 1940s and 1950s.
The East Potomac project is drawing attention as the legal questions around the overhaul grow. Explore why Judge presses Trump administration over East Potomac golf overhaul.
What happens next for Trump’s DC golf course
The National Park Service has not released a final construction budget or finalized the full East Potomac redevelopment plan as of September 2026. The agency’s current procurement forecast calls for construction solicitation in January 2027.
The project remains subject to environmental and historic-preservation requirements, while federal litigation continues over the planned overhaul. The current construction forecast ranges from $20 million to $49 million, but the final cost will depend on the scope and procurement process.
A new federal development has put fresh attention on Trump’s plans for golf in Washington. Trump’s DC golf dream hits a federal roadblock explains what is standing in the way.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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