President Donald Trump’s frequent visits to his own golf properties have drawn renewed scrutiny following his recent four-day trip to Scotland, with Forbes reporting that the President has spent approximately one-third of his presidency visiting his own properties.
During his July 25-28 visit to Scotland, Trump opened a new 18-hole golf course at his Balmedie resort dedicated to his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was a native of Lewis in Scotland’s Western Isles. The trip also included time at his Turnberry resort on the west coast, about 50 miles from Glasgow, and a brief meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 28 to discuss U.S.-U.K. trade relations.
The Scotland visit reopened longstanding tensions with local residents who have resisted Trump’s development efforts for nearly 20 years. Michael Forbes, a 73-year-old retired quarry worker and salmon fisherman whose 23 acres adjoin the Trump International Scotland resort, maintained his refusal to sell his land. Forbes indicated there was no possibility he would ever sell his property to Trump.
The dispute between Trump and local residents dates back to 2006, when Trump purchased the Menie Estate north of Aberdeen. His development plans involved buying land from nearby residents, including the Forbes family. When Forbes and others refused to sell, Trump reportedly asked the Aberdeenshire Council to consider a compulsory purchase of the land, which would allow acquisition without owner consent if deemed in the public interest.
The conflict escalated in 2010 when workers building a road on the golf course broke a water pipe serving the Forbes property. The pipe remained inadequately repaired for more than five years, leaving the family without reliable water access. During this period, Molly Forbes, Michael’s mother who lived on the property, relied on buckets from a nearby well and bottled water. Michael Forbes eventually repaired the pipe himself in 2016. Molly Forbes died in 2021 at age 96.
Trump’s promised economic benefits for the area have largely failed to materialize. According to planning documents and public accounts, Trump initially pledged to invest $1.5 billion in the golf project and create more than 1,000 permanent jobs plus 5,000 construction positions. Instead, the development has created only 84 jobs, fewer than the 100 that existed when Trump acquired the land. Rather than the promised 450-room luxury hotel, the site features a 19-room boutique hotel and small clubhouse.
Financial filings show Trump’s course at the Menie Estate lost $1.9 million in 2023, marking its 11th consecutive annual loss since acquisition in 2006. Local residents report the fairway appears less than half full even during peak summer months.
The President’s golf habits have drawn criticism for their cost to taxpayers. During his first presidential term, Trump played golf at least 142 times. Each trip from the White House to Palm Beach costs taxpayers approximately $1 million, according to The Guardian. A HuffPost analysis found that as of March 8, Trump’s Florida golf weekends since his January 20 inauguration have cost taxpayers $18 million.
In March, Trump announced winning the Men’s Club Championship at his Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach County, Florida, calling it “such a great honor” and suggesting it would probably be his last championship win. The 78-year-old President has won similar tournaments at his courses in 2023 and 2024.
Trump’s relationship with Forbes magazine has also deteriorated, with the President recently attacking the publication on his Truth Social platform. In June, Trump wrote that Forbes “continues to hang around like a bad disease” and criticized the outlet’s coverage of his business dealings. He specifically targeted Forbes reporter Dan Alexander, claiming the publication was purposely inaccurate in its reporting about him.
The President’s golf-related travel has included specialized security equipment, including what has been dubbed “Golf Force One,” an armored golf cart used during his Scotland visit. The White House confirmed this vehicle is part of Trump’s fleet of specialty security vehicles.
Trump’s son Eric has expressed hopes that the family’s Turnberry course could host The Open Championship, though he acknowledged politics may be preventing this opportunity. The course has received less local opposition than the Balmedie development, with Trump investing millions to restore the 101-year-old hotel and three golf courses after purchasing the site in 2014.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray indicated Trump would receive a warm welcome during his visit, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong U.S.-U.K. relations for defense, security, and economic purposes.
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2025/07/29/trump-has-spent-about-one-third-of-his-presidency-visiting-his-own-properties/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/07/26/trump-scotland-golf-resort/85304189007/
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-touts-great-honor-winning-tournament-his-own-golf-course-2045666/
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-farmer-next-door-trumps-35612112
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-forbes-continues-hang-around-190400308.html
