Trump’s Golf Courses Keep Pushing Legal Boundaries With Presidential Seal Markers

Posted by author February 12, 2025 Golf

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Topline

The presidential seal has turned up on a golf marker at a fifth Trump golf course, potentially violating federal law that prohibits its use for commercial purposes, marking the former president’s latest move to blur the line between public office and private business.

President Donald Trump takes a swing in a pro-am tournament for LIV Golf at his golf club in May … [+] 2023 in Sterling, Virginia. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The Washington Post via Getty Images

Key Facts

Two Instagram posts from 2024 show golf markers embedded in the ground at Trump’s Westchester, New York, golf course, each emblazoned with the seal of the president of the United States.

Since 2021, similar golf makers featuring the presidential seal have appeared at two Trump golf courses in Florida, one in New Jersey and one in New York City, though the latter was subsequently sold.

Federal law prohibits the use of the presidential seal “in a manner reasonably calculated to convey a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the government,” with violations punishable by a fine or up to six months in jail.

Representatives of Trump’s administration and organization did not immediately respond to inquiries.

Crucial Quote

“President-elect Trump wants there to be no doubt in the minds of the American public that he is completely isolating himself from his business interests,” Trump’s attorney Sheri Dillon said at a press conference in January 2017, a week before his first inauguration. “He instructed us to take all steps realistically possible to make it clear that he is not exploiting the office of the presidency for his personal benefit.”

Key Background

In 2018, the Trump Organization removed golf markers displaying the presidental seal from its West Palm Beach golf course after ProPublica and WNYC reported that the company had ordered dozens of seals for use as tee markers. A spokesperson for the Trump Organization claimed the markers were a gift, but an order form listed “Trump International” as the purchaser.

Tangent

Less than 18 hours after Vice President Kamala Harris conceded in November, Trump’s online retail store sent an email promoting its new “45-47 collection,” a nod to his status as both the 45th and 47th president.