Trump's 'working trip' to Scotland includes opening a new golf course
The White House defended Donald Trump's stay at two golf properties during a "working visit" to Scotland that included meetings with European leaders.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is ending his trip to Scotland the same way he began it: promoting one of his golf properties.
Trump attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for his newest 18-hole course at Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen on July 29 before his return to Washington after a visit to Scotland that saw him host two European leaders at his Turnberry property and Scottish National Party leader John Swinney at the Balmedie course's grand opening.
"We'll play it very quickly, and then I got back to D.C. and we put out fires all over the world," Trump said in a speech before he cut the ribbon and hit the links. "We stopped a war. But we've stopped about five wars, so that's much more important than playing golf. As much as a I like it, it's much more important," he said, referencing a ceasefire he helped broker between Cambodia and Thailand.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer even joined the U.S. president and his family on their trip between golf resorts, taking Air Force One from one side of Scotland to the other, after meeting with Trump at the latter property to discuss trade and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"Thank you so much for showing us around and having this opportunity to sit in this fantastic ballroom, which is absolutely incredible, and to start talking about some of the issues that are most pressing in your country and my country," Starmer told Trump as their meeting began at Turnberry.
The new course will officially open on Aug. 13, according to the property's website, which boasts of an "unmatched experience" that will solidify Trump Scotland's reputation as a global golf destination.
"The best course anywhere in the world is Turnberry. The players all want to be at Turnberry. Everybody wants to be at Turnberry," Trump told reporters on July 25 after landing in Scotland. "And I would say Aberdeen is right up there also. Aberdeen's great," he said during the exchange.
Trump's children have managed the business and the trust that his assets and investments are in since he returned to office, putting some distance between the U.S. president and the myriad of resorts, golf clubs, and other hospitality businesses the Trump Organization owns. But the arrangement that allows Trump and his family to potentially profit off the presidency has long raised ethical concerns.
Trump's sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., caught a ride on Air Force One when Trump flew to Aberdeen with Starmer. The White House said that Eric's wife, Lara, and Don Jr.'s girlfriend, Bettina Anderson, were also on the plane.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Eric Trump said that developing the property had been a "passion project" for his father, "who went off to do larger things." The president's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in Scotland.
"We wanted to continue his legacy," Eric Trump said of the upgrades. "Nothing was left out. We had an unlimited budget and we exceeded it. This was his Mona Lisa."
Trump has feuded with his neighbors over the property for years and his visit reopened old wounds for some local residents.
The president acknowledged that he was not warmly welcomed when he first began to develop the property. But he insisted it "wasn't bad" and that "with time they've liked us more and more" and now "they love us, and we love them."
"I want to thank by the way the prime minister, who was here last night and was really very gracious and loves the place, love the area," he said of Starmer, who he said he gave a "preview" of the new course that will host the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship later this week.
White House spokesman Taylor Rogers dismissed earlier questions about possible conflicts of interest during Trump's trip to Scotland by touting a trade agreement Trump struck with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry property over the weekend.