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By Hollie Silverman
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President Donald Trump promised Saturday that residents of the Washington, D.C., area would receive a 50 percent discount on rates at East Potomac Golf Links, renewing his criticism of a federal judge weighing whether to halt the administration’s planned closure of the historic public course for renovations.
In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote, “Very importantly, also, is that anyone living in the D.C. area will be given a 50% discount on any and all Rates charged.” Trump did not specify how the area would be defined, what the base rates would be, or when and how the discount would take effect.
Trump’s remarks came as U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes considered a request to block the government from closing the course and most of surrounding East Potomac Park—commonly known as Hains Point—starting Sunday.
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Newsweek reached out to Reyes by email Saturday for comment.
A Legal Battle Over Public Parkland
The dispute centers on federal parkland along the Potomac River. In 2020, the National Park Service (NPS) signed a 50-year lease with the nonprofit National Links Trust to operate East Potomac alongside two other historic municipal facilities, Langston and Rock Creek golf courses, with a mandate to keep them affordable. However, that agreement with the NPS was terminated by the Interior Department at the end of last year over alleged defaults.
In February, a preservation group and two golfers sued the Interior Department, the NPS and federal officials to stop the administration's redevelopment plans. The plaintiffs contend that the project threatens public access and violates a congressional mandate that the land be preserved as a park “for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”
Reyes, who was nominated by former President Joe Biden, previously barred additional tree removal at the site except in cases of imminent safety risks and ordered the government to provide advance notice of certain work—a ruling the administration has appealed.
During a hearing Friday, government lawyers argued that closing the park and golf course on November 15 was necessary due to seawall and safety concerns, as well as the lack of an active course operator. Reyes questioned why infrastructure issues that have existed for years suddenly required shutting down nearly all of Hains Point.
The court has also appointed former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu to investigate whether government attorneys committed ethical violations in their handling of the case, though the inquiry does not constitute a finding of misconduct.
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Trump Criticizes Course Conditions, Eyes Major Tournaments
On Saturday, Trump again derided the existing facility as “Trash Island” and claimed, without providing evidence, that its layout poses a safety hazard.
“Trash Island is currently the Worst Golf Course anywhere in the World, but the Department of the Interior is going to make it into the Best Golf Course anywhere in the World,” Trump wrote.
He added: “The Fairways are far too close together. When you walk down the corridors of Trash Island, you don’t hear the sound of the running Potomac, all you hear is the sound of people screaming, ‘FORE!’”
Trump accused Reyes of impeding a rapid overhaul, writing, “Unfortunately, Judge Ana Reyes doesn’t want us to quickly and inexpensively fix up the Course.” Still, he expressed hope that she would eventually back the plan. “Hopefully the Judge will agree that the Dignity, Beauty, and Importance of Washington, D.C., will be greatly enhanced by this soon to be beautiful Project.”
“All over the World it will be acclaimed as being the Best Golf Course anywhere, attracting the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup, with all of the Economic Development that will bring,” Trump wrote. Organizers for those tournaments have not announced any plans to host events at East Potomac.
Broader Capital Renovation Push
Trump has framed the golf course overhaul as part of a wider administration initiative to refurbish prominent landmarks across Washington, including a fountain near the National World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Work on the reflecting pool previously drew scrutiny over alleged vandalism and a subsequent prosecution that encountered legal setbacks. When the pool reopened ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump visited the site and joked that it could be renamed the “Trump Reflecting Pool.”
In his Saturday post, Trump also asserted that the Interior Department had cleaned, repaired, renovated or rebuilt 83 fountains, monuments and statues in Washington. While the NPS has previously announced a citywide rehabilitation program covering 18 fountains and water features, federal officials have not independently substantiated the higher figure cited by the president.
Newsweek*’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.* Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Steve Mollman and Anthony Murray.
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