Washington — The White House declined to confirm reports that President Donald Trump is lobbying to host the 2026 G20 summit at his private golf resort in Doral, Florida, a move that would revive concerns over the use of public office for private gain.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, facing growing questions from the press corps, attempted to shut down media reports alleging President Donald Trump is seeking to host the 2026 G20 summit at his Trump National Doral Golf Club in Florida. Leavitt did not offer an alternative location, nor did she provide any concrete timeline, instead offering vague assurances that more information would be released later.
The move is widely seen as yet another attempt by Trump to monetize his presidency and blur the lines between statecraft and self-enrichment. The Doral property, once at the center of a failed 2020 G7 hosting bid, remains a financial liability in Trump’s real estate portfolio, raising further concerns about the motive behind the push. The administration is currently not in a position to announce specifics regarding the G20 summit, intensifying speculation that the Doral gambit may still be on the table despite official denials
“We will make announcements and provide details regarding the G20 in due course,” Leavitt said, adding that there is currently “no readiness to announce anything concrete.” The reports, she emphasized, are not verifiable at this point.
The remarks come on the heels of Trump’s own statement on July 29, where he told reporters that he is unlikely to attend the 2025 G20 summit in South Africa scheduled for November 22-23. Instead, he hinted that a representative from his administration may stand in for him at the meeting, citing domestic priorities and an intensifying 2026 reelection campaign schedule.
This isn’t the first time Trump’s private property in Florida has been tied to a global diplomatic event. During his first term in office, he proposed hosting the 2020 G7 summit at the same Doral golf resort. The announcement was met with fierce backlash from ethics watchdogs and lawmakers across party lines, who accused Trump of attempting to personally profit from an international event. Under mounting pressure, Trump eventually abandoned the plan.
The resurfacing of Doral as a potential venue has once again stirred speculation over Trump’s blending of personal business interests with presidential duties. Critics argue that such a move, if confirmed, would directly conflict with long-standing norms of ethical governance and represent a return to the controversial practices that defined his previous term.
Leavitt’s refusal to validate the venue reports signals that the administration is attempting to avoid another political firestorm, especially as scrutiny intensifies over Trump’s entanglements with his business empire during official proceedings. The TASS report adds that the administration “is not ready to announce anything specific” about the G20 venue at this time, echoing the administration’s cautious tone.
