Trump's East Potomac Golf Course Upgrade May Reach $49 Million

WHO:

CNN - President Donald Trump is involved in the proposed championship golf course project.

ABC News - Rep. Jared Huffman of California is the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee.

ABC News - The National Park Service is overseeing the project.

ABC News - Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. is the Massachusetts-based company awarded a contract for the project.

WHAT:

CNN - The proposed golf course renovation could cost up to $49 million.

ABC News - A contract for nearly $400,000 was awarded for environmental and historic preservation compliance work at the course.

ABC News - The National Park Service is set to solicit bids for the renovation project with a projected construction contract worth up to $49 million.

WHERE:

CNN - The golf course is located in East Potomac Park, Washington, DC.

ABC News - The project is being managed by the National Park Service.

WHEN:

CNN - The National Park Service will start soliciting bids for the renovation in January 2027.

ABC News - The expected solicitation date for the construction contract is January 31, 2027.

WHY:

ABC News - Rep. Huffman stated that the project is seen as an effort by Trump to convert a public park into a private golf club for the wealthy.

ABC News - Huffman described the golf course as a "beloved public space with huge historic significance."

HOW:

ABC News - The Trump administration has awarded contracts to begin work on the golf course without public announcement or prior notice to Congress.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 18:00 UTC)

President Trump is involved in a proposed championship golf course renovation project located in East Potomac Park, Washington, DC, which could cost up to $49 million. The National Park Service is managing the project and plans to start soliciting bids for the construction contract on January 31, 2027, while a separate contract for environmental and historic preservation compliance work has already been awarded for nearly $400,000. Representative Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, has expressed concerns that this initiative appears to be an effort by Trump to transform a beloved public space into a private golf club for the wealthy.