Trump wants a new Camp David retreat at his posh Florida golf club

Trump wants a new Camp David retreat at his posh Florida golf club

US President Donald Trump is seeking to build a presidential retreat at his Florida golf club that would be similar to Camp David.

The club would cover construction costs as a "gift" to Americans, offer free memberships to future presidents, and provide accommodations for visiting foreign dignitaries.

"It's only about two minutes away from the airport … and they could spend the weekend there, like a retreat, like a sort of Camp David retreat," Trump said on Wednesday.

If realized, Trump's revamped golf estate would be a sharp contrast to the rustic Camp David, which began as a Great Depression-era camp in the woods for federal employees. It would also represent another tradition reshaped by Trump.

The US president has tried to secure his legacy through alterations to the White House, including gilded gold leaf accents in the Oval Office, the demolition of the East Wing and the construction of a ballroom. He is also moving ahead with plans to build a huge triumphal arch elsewhere in Washington.

He has held national security meetings and other events at Camp David, the president's country residence. The Camp David property, deep in Catoctin Mountain Park in Frederick County, Maryland, was first used as a retreat by President Franklin Roosevelt, who called it "Shangri-La".

The setting is rustic and in some ways resembles the military installation it officially is - Naval Support Facility, Thurmont. The entire site is staffed by uniformed members of the US Navy and Marine Corps.

The secure facility is largely out of public sight, with Marines guarding the perimeter and restricted airspace overhead. It does not appear on maps of the national park, even though locals know where it is.

Press access is granted only very rarely, which means photography of the wood and stone cabins and lodges that make up most of the facility is tightly controlled.

On a recent BBC visit, for instance, reporters in the White House press pool were under strict instructions not to take images in unauthorized areas or reveal details about the camp's layout.

Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, by contrast, is linked to the rest of the city by numerous roads, some lined with supporters or protesters when the president is there.

The 27-hole golf course and club describes itself as having "a lively social scene" and fine dining, and it is frequently visited by Trump's political allies during his many weekends in Florida. It features a luxurious clubhouse, a gift store and regular social events for members.

The president's claim that the area is "secure" is notable. In recent months, Trump has often used national security and safety arguments to defend various projects in Washington DC, including his White House ballroom project and the planned Triumphal Arch.

When reporters asked whether he would name the new presidential retreat at his golf club "Camp Donald", Trump said, "Well, it's already called Trump International. It's one of the best golf courses in the world."

He said one advantage is the lack of tall buildings and homes looming "so you don't have ... people hiding behind windows".

"They can get maximum safety," the president said. "It's a great idea and it'll be used a lot."

Trump said at the Oval Office on Wednesday that Secret Service officials first proposed using the golf club as a presidential retreat, and that he thinks it is "a great idea".

"It's about as safe as they could possibly get," he said.

A letter dated 3 September from the golf course's attorney to the county commission in Florida said Trump offered to designate the club as a "U.S. Presidential Golf Course" for presidents and visiting heads of state, according to USA TODAY's Palm Beach Post.

The letter, obtained by the local outlet, says the golf club would give access to all its facilities at "no cost to the federal government" and provide free membership to future presidents.

According to the letter, the golf club would pay construction costs as a "gift" to Americans and local residents.

"This wouldn't be for me," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. "This would be for all future presidents."