Blue Press Journal

Tag: golf

  • Trump Retreats to Florida Opulence Amid Deepening Government Shutdown Crisis

    Blue Press Journal

    Washington D.C. – As the nation grapples with a deepening government shutdown that has left millions facing dire financial uncertainty, President Donald Trump is set to depart Washington D.C. early today, retreating to his luxurious Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. His 3:30 p.m. departure signals a weekend of leisure and private club festivities, starkly contrasting with the growing hardship endured by countless American families.

    The President’s early exit comes as the partial government shutdown wreaks havoc across federal agencies, suspending vital services and jeopardizing the livelihoods of around 800,000 federal workers. The shutdown’s ripple effects are far-reaching, with essential benefits halted and critical federal programs stalled, leaving impoverished families struggling to put food on the table amid the ongoing political stalemate.

    Trump’s destination, Palm Beach, is home to his sprawling Mar-a-Lago estate, often dubbed the “Winter White House,” and the exclusive Trump International Golf Club. It is a familiar scene for the President, who frequently spends weekends there, indulging in rounds of golf and hosting lavish parties on the resort’s manicured patios. This latest trip underscores a perceived detachment from the crisis unfolding under his watch, as he prepares to enjoy the comforts of his private country club while federal employees go without pay and struggling families face mounting anxieties.

    Critics highlight the optics of a president pursuing luxury while his government experiences paralysis, causing real pain for citizens. Leaving the capital early to escape the tensions of the shutdown has intensified accusations of insensitivity and failed leadership.

  • Trump’s Weekend Golf Outing to Cost Taxpayers at Least $10 Million

    In a move that has raised eyebrows among ethics experts, President Donald Trump is set to embark on a five-day trip to Scotland, where he will participate in a marketing photo opportunity at his own golf resort in Aberdeen. The trip, which is expected to cost American taxpayers at least $10 million, has been criticized as a blatant attempt by the President to promote his personal business interests at the expense of the public purse.

    The trip, which begins on Friday, coincides with the grand opening of a second 18-hole course at Trump’s Aberdeen resort, which he has been personally promoting in recent years. According to an analysis of the expenses required for a presidential foreign trip, the total cost of the jaunt is estimated to be around $9.7 million, based on 2017 dollars. However, when adjusted for inflation, the actual total is likely to be substantially higher, potentially reaching as much as $12.8 million.

    The costs associated with the trip include the hourly operating cost of Air Force One, the transportation of Marine One helicopters and motorcade vehicles across the Atlantic, and Secret Service overtime expenses, among other things. These expenses will be borne by American taxpayers, who will effectively be subsidizing the President’s marketing efforts for his golf resort.

    This is not the first time that Trump has used taxpayer money to fund trips to his own golf resorts. During his first term, he visited his resorts in Turnberry and Doonbeg, Ireland, as part of official visits. However, those trips were at least incorporated into official business, whereas the Scotland trip appears to be primarily focused on golf, with a meeting tacked on.

    Ethics experts have condemned the trip as a clear example of the President using his office to promote his personal business interests. “He’s using the presidency to market his golf courses,” said Richard Painter, the top ethics lawyer in George W. Bush’s second-term White House. “At the taxpayer’s expense, he’s promoting himself.”

    The Scotland trip is just the latest example of Trump’s willingness to blur the lines between his public office and private business interests. As the President continues to use his position to promote his own brand, many are left wondering what other expenses will be incurred at taxpayer expense to further his personal agenda.

  • Trump’s Weekend Retreat: A Golf Getaway Amid Texas Floods

    Today, Trump is set to conclude a brief visit to Kerrville, Texas, where he will spend less than two hours surveying damage and delivering a photo opportunity amidst the devastation that has claimed the lives of over 120 people and displaced thousands more. The stark contrast between the gravity of the situation and Trump’s next destination—his private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey—has not gone unnoticed.

    The president’s schedule illustrates a pattern many have come to recognize: a brief engagement replaced by weekends filled with leisure activities, including golf and social outings. Following his visit to Texas, Trump is expected to indulge in a weekend retreat filled with golf rounds and a soccer match.

    While some supporters might view this as Trump balancing his role as a public figure with personal leisure—a necessary escape from the burdens of office—critics argue that it reflects a profound disconnect from the struggles faced by thousands of families in Texas. The timing of his golfing retreat, just after a brief visit to a flood-ravaged region, raises questions about the priorities of leaders in times of crisis.

    Texas families whose lives have been disrupted, the photo opportunity may feel less like a gesture of solidarity and more akin to a brief pause before the former president retreats into the comfort of his golf club.

    In the end, MAGA voters, you get what you voted for—a president who often prioritizes leisure over the lingering challenges that define our nation. As the weekend approaches, the question remains: is this the representation you envisioned for the leadership role in America and the one Trump promised?

  • Trump Makes his Choice: Golf over the Nation’s Pressing Issues

    While states are facing the aftermath of severe storms and awaiting FEMA assistance, President Trump’s schedule indicates an early departure for his golf club in New Jersey. On Friday, May 23, according to the official White House press pool daily guidance and media schedule, his only listed official event was a closed-press signing of executive orders.

    He was then scheduled to leave the White House by mid-afternoon, heading to his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, for the weekend.

    This prioritization of personal leisure raises questions about his commitment to addressing the nation’s pressing issues, including economic uncertainty, legal challenges, and international instability.

    While Americans are dealing with these concerns, the president’s focus on activities outside of his official duties may be perceived as a disconnect from the needs of the country. As of today he’s 124 days in office and played golf 24 days, or 19.35% of his presidency.

  • Trump’s first week major decision … Golf or the Economy?

    Trump’s presidential campaign incessantly complained about inflation and rising food costs, pointing the finger at former President Joe Biden for the soaring grocery prices. The majority of voters made it clear that the economy was a key factor in the 2024 election, if not the most important one. “First and foremost, we need to provide economic relief to our citizens,” Trump declared at the Republican National Convention in July. “From Day 1, we will work to lower prices and make America affordable again. Because let’s face it, it’s not affordable right now. People can’t survive like this.”

    However, it seems like none of his initial orders actually address food prices or inflation. So, what exactly is he doing?

    Oh, just playing golf.

    President Donald Trump decided to hit the golf course on Monday, despite telling reporters on Air Force One that he would be too busy to play at the beginning of the week. Images of the president enjoying a round at his Doral golf club in Miami were shared by Fox News correspondent Aishah Hasnie. This leisurely outing may just help Trump surpass the number of rounds he played during his first term – a whopping 289 rounds that cost taxpayers at least $150 million for travel and security. But hey, who needs to worry about the economy when there’s golf to be played, right?