Trump says Washington golf course renovation will start despite judge's order

Summary

On Sunday, October 18, Donald Trump said his administration would begin renovation work in November on Washington's historic East Potomac golf course, despite a federal judge's order that the government must give notice before substantive construction could proceed. Trump posted on Truth Social that restoration work will begin on November 15. Judge Ana Reyes had earlier ruled on the notice requirement, halted tree removal at the site the previous week, and ordered the government to say by 8pm ET Sunday whether its position had changed from its Friday court filing, according to The Guardian. Hindustan Times reports the course would close for 15 months during the work, and the Financial Times describes the project as part of Trump's effort to remodel Washington in his own image. A later Straits Times report says the project is set to start immediately and that it has become the subject of a lawsuit over environmental and historic preservation concerns.

Timeline

1. The Straits Times

   18 Oct 2026, 17:50 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Trump said on Sunday his administration would begin renovation work next month on a historic Washington golf course that a federal judge had ordered could not proceed without prior court notification.

2. Hindustan Times

   18 Oct 2026, 18:51 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Trump plans a 15-month closure of Washington's East Potomac Golf Course for renovation while a legal challenge and court fight over tree removal continue.

3. Financial Times

   18 Oct 2026, 19:28 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that Trump plans to begin transforming the century-old East Potomac course despite a court order, as part of his effort to remodel Washington in his own image.

4. The Guardian

   18 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Trump posted on Truth Social that restoration work would begin on November 15 despite a federal judge's order to pause the plans, and that the judge ordered the government to say by 8pm ET Sunday whether its position had changed.

5. Channel NewsAsia

   19 Oct 2026, 02:41 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that Trump said renovation of a Washington golf course would start in November despite a judge's order.

6. The Straits Times

   19 Oct 2026, 12:10 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Trump said the golf course project would start immediately despite the judge's order, and that the renovation has become the subject of a lawsuit over environmental and historic preservation concerns.