DC golf course or ‘Trash Island’? Trump shares revealing photos of debris, crumbling seawall at historic landmark

Trump has outlined an ambitious plan to transform East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level destination in the nation's capital. In an October 18 Truth Social post, he said the redesigned course would be "open to the public" and capable of hosting major tournaments, including the US Open, PGA Championship and Ryder Cup. The president has presented the project as an opportunity to modernize the aging waterfront facility while maintaining public access.

Trump unveiled a proposed design developed with renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio and the Department of the Interior. He said the project would be "designed to the highest level of golf," reflecting his ambition to create a championship-standard course in Washington. The rendering illustrates the administration's vision, although the design remains subject to the necessary reviews and an ongoing legal dispute.

The redevelopment has become the subject of a federal lawsuit involving environmental and historic preservation concerns, particularly the removal of hundreds of trees. Trump has strongly defended the administration's authority to proceed. In an October 19 Truth Social post, he insisted officials had "an absolute right" to carry out the renovation and declared, "Work is scheduled to begin IMMEDIATELY!" The legal proceedings continue to determine what work can proceed and under what conditions.

Trump's newly released photographs include views of deteriorating infrastructure along the waterfront. In one Truth Social post, he wrote: "Collapsing Sea Wall — Very dangerous to one's health!" The images draw attention to the challenges of maintaining the low-lying property, including its aging waterfront structures and drainage system. While the photographs illustrate visible problems, the seawall is National Park Service infrastructure, and its repair needs are distinct from the proposed golf course redesign.

Trump reserved some of his sharpest criticism for a section of East Potomac Golf Links he calls "Trash Island." Sharing photographs of debris, discarded materials and neglected-looking areas, he wrote: "Here are pictures of Trash Island for the Judge to study. This is just a small area, and better than some!" The message was directed at the federal judge overseeing the dispute and marked a pointed escalation in Trump's public defense of the project. The photographs offer a dramatic final look at the conditions Trump wants addressed, although golfers familiar with the property dispute whether the selected images represent the course as a whole.