Trump's Doral Golf Club Tapped for 2026 G20 Summit, Rekindling Ethics Debates

Former President Donald Trump has publicly stated that the United States is poised to host the prestigious 2026 G20 summit at his Trump National Doral golf club in Florida. The announcement, made during a campaign rally, immediately reignited familiar debates surrounding the ethical implications of a president or former president leveraging their private properties for official international events.

Trump highlighted Doral's suitability for such a high-profile gathering, emphasizing its close proximity to Miami International Airport, vast ballrooms, and luxurious accommodations.

He suggested that hosting the summit at his private resort would save the U.S. government a "tremendous amount of money," implying efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The G20 summit, which brings together leaders from the world's major economies, rotates its host nation annually, with Brazil slated for 2024 and South Africa for 2025.

This is not the first time Trump has proposed one of his properties as the venue for a significant international event.

During his presidency, a similar plan to host the 2020 G7 summit at Doral faced widespread criticism. Opponents argued that using a privately owned business for official government functions created a clear conflict of interest, potentially allowing the president to personally profit from taxpayer funds and foreign dignitary spending.

The outcry ultimately led to Trump reversing that decision.

The current proposal for the 2026 G20 summit echoes those past controversies. While Trump is no longer in office, the prospect of a former president, especially one who remains highly influential in national politics, benefiting financially from a major international diplomatic gathering continues to draw scrutiny.

Critics contend that such arrangements blur the lines between public service and personal enrichment, regardless of who occupies the White House at the time of the event.

Proponents, however, might argue that Doral's facilities are genuinely world-class and ideally suited for hosting an event of this magnitude, and that the practical benefits outweigh the ethical concerns, especially if the deal proves to be financially advantageous for the government.

Nevertheless, the conversation around the 2026 G20 summit is once again set to be intertwined with questions of transparency, conflicts of interest, and the appropriate use of private assets for public affairs.