Fact Check: Did Trump's Scottish golf course increase security due to men defecating in holes?

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump's love for golf is no hidden secret. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, the POTUS has spent quite some time on his golf course, and at times faced criticism for allegedly costing taxpayers around $18 million.

Recently, a rumor circulated online claiming that Trump’s golf course in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, hired extra security due to Scottish men breaking in and defecating in the course's holes. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Trump's Scottish golf course increased security due to men defecating in holes

In April 2025, a rumor circulated online claiming that the golf course that Trump owns in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, had to increase security staff due to Scottish men breaking in and defecating in the course's holes.

Several social media users shared the claim across different platforms such as X, Threads, and Facebook. 

An X user @VolArtDan shared a post and wrote, "Trump’s Scottish Golf Course has had to up its security because Righteous Scottish men are breaking in and shitting in the holes. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear kilts."

Similarly, a Facebook user Steph C Brook wrote, "I was watching a Scottish comedian and he was saying they had to increase security at Trump’s golf course in Aberdeen because Scots were scaling the walls at night and pooping in the holes … I think that should inspire folks at his other golf resorts. Fire in the hole!!!"

False: Official calls rumor 'categorically untrue in every respect'

The claims made in the online rumor are false, as a public relations adviser for Trump International Scotland called these claims "categorically untrue in every respect", according to Snopes.

Moreover, the PR adviser informed the fact-checking outlet via email, "I trust this response will put the matter to bed as any story suggesting there is merit in this claim would be completely wrong."

Furthermore, the claims seem to have originated as a joke from stand-up comedian Russell Howard, who posted a clip on TikTok on April 8, 2025, promoting upcoming tour dates.

Howard said in the clip, "Donald Trump's got a golf course in Aberdeen. They've had to put extra security staff on at that golf course because Scottish men keep breaking in and s******* in the holes. That's how we feel about Mr Trump."

Trump bought an estate in Aberdeenshire in 2006 that eventually became the resort featuring the golf course, leaving him notoriously unpopular in Scotland, per Snopes.

Moreover, BBC reported that several local residents opposed the development, with the Aberdeenshire Council rejecting the proposal following objectors' complaints that "the resort would have a major impact on wildlife and destroy a beautiful part of Scotland."

Trump's golf weekends cost $18.2 million to taxpayers

HuffPost reported in March 2025 that Trump's weekend golf sessions in Florida cost American taxpayers more than $18 million, after citing costs from a 2019 Government Accountability Office report.

Interestingly, during Trump's first term in office, the cost of his trips were put at $151.5 million over four years, as the first four trips cost $3,383,250 each in 2017, per the outlet.

Notably, the president and his entourage travel via Air Force One while the military transports his motorcade vehicles using C-17 planes, costing a huge amount of money.

Meanwhile, when Trump travels from Mar-a-Lago to the golf club, it involves crossing back onto the mainland from the barrier island, and police boats with machine guns mounted on the bows patrol the waterway.

Moreover, a Coast Guard vessel remains stationed off the beach in the Atlantic. Other expenses include local law enforcement and explosive-sniffing dogs, the report mentioned.