The Trump administration has abruptly ended a long-term lease agreement for three public golf courses in Washington, D.C., a decision that could hand President Donald Trump a chance to reshape a significant piece of the capital's sporting landscape.
Lease Terminated Over Alleged Failures
On Wednesday, 31 December 2025, the Department of the Interior informed the National Links Trust that its 50-year lease to operate the courses on federal land was being terminated. The nonprofit had managed the three courses for the past five years.
The Interior Department stated the termination was due to the trust's failure to implement required capital improvements and to meet other terms of the lease. This move strips the trust of its long-term stewardship of the courses, which include sites overlooking the Potomac River, within Rock Creek Park, and a location with deep ties to Black golf history.
Trust 'Devastated', Defends Record
Officials from the National Links Trust said they were "devastated" by the decision and strongly defended their management. In a statement, they claimed to have invested $8.5 million in capital improvements and more than doubled both rounds played and revenue during their tenure.
The trust has agreed to continue day-to-day operations for now but will halt all long-term renovation projects. "While this termination is a major setback, we remain stubbornly hopeful that a path forward can be found that preserves affordable and accessible public golf in the nation’s capital for generations to come," the officials added.
Part of a Broader Capital Reshaping
This decision aligns with a series of actions by the Trump administration to rebrand civic spaces in Washington. Recent moves include:
- Renaming the Kennedy Center after President Trump following a vote by his appointees on the board.
- Ongoing construction of a ballroom on the White House's East Wing.
- Placing the Trump name on the U.S. Institute of Peace.
The administration has also deployed National Guard members to city streets, citing public safety. While the future plans for the golf courses remain unclear, President Trump—whose private company has a global portfolio of golf developments—now has a direct opportunity to influence these prominent public links.
