Donald Trump promotes his golf courses amid push for British Open in Scotland

In July 2023, Donald Trump traveled to Scotland, his mother's birthplace, for a visit centered on his family's golf courses. This trip marked Trump's fourth international journey during his second term as president and was labeled a 'working trip.' His intention was to advocate for the British Open golf tournament to be held at his Turnberry golf resort, which has played host to the tournament multiple times in the past. Trump previously expressed that 'everyone' wanted Turnberry to host the Open again, despite skepticism from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, which organizes the event. They had reiterated shortly after the Capitol attack that there were 'no plans' to return the Open to Turnberry in the foreseeable future. Recent discussions between representatives of the Trump Organization and the Royal and Ancient have highlighted logistical challenges in hosting the tournament at Turnberry. The golf resort in Aberdeenshire, owned by Trump, reported a financial loss of 1.4 million pounds in the previous year. This trip occurred amidst ongoing criticisms regarding potential conflicts of interest involving Trump's business interests and his presidential role. Ethics experts argued that Trump's travel might blur the lines between official duties and his family's business ventures, enhancing scrutiny over the use of taxpayer money for what some analysts described as a promotion of the Trump Organization. Trump's previous international visits included a focus on fostering economic and political relations in the Middle East, and his schedule in Scotland included a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Starmer, alongside anticipated press engagements. Trump's continued push for Turnberry to host the British Open highlights a persistent commitment to improving the financial standing of his golf courses while navigating complex relationships with both public officials and the golf community.