Trump backs proposed presidential retreat at Florida golf club

President Donald Trump has endorsed a proposal to turn part of his West Palm Beach golf course into a presidential retreat modeled on Camp David, but the plan remains subject to Palm Beach County approval and has not been finalized. The proposal was outlined in a September letter to county commissioners from Harvey Oyer, a lawyer for Trump International Golf Club. It asks the county to make a parcel of land available to the federal government for a retreat intended for past, current and future presidents, as well as visiting foreign leaders. Trump publicly backed the idea on October 7, saying it would be for future presidents. He said the military and Secret Service had suggested it, a claim not independently confirmed by those agencies. Palm Beach County owns the land beneath the golf course and leases it to the Trump Organization. Under the proposal described in Oyer’s letter, the club would pay to construct lodging and related facilities, while continuing to operate the adjacent golf course. The retreat would have a separate entrance, according to accounts of the proposal. The letter also proposes complimentary golf-club memberships for future presidents.