G20 at Trump Doral? Private Talks Rekindle Conflict-of-Interest Fears

CNN reported on July 30, 2025, that the White House was privately discussing hosting the 2026 G20 summit at Trump's National Doral golf resort near Miami, an idea Trump later confirmed publicly in September. The G20 is one of the world's most significant economic forums, involving major security spending, global media attention, and lucrative logistical contracts.

The plan matters because it would direct that spending and global spotlight toward a property owned by the sitting president, reviving conflict-of-interest concerns from Trump's first term, when he briefly floated hosting the G7 at the same resort before reversing course amid public backlash. Watchdog groups have long warned that using Trump-branded properties for official events risks turning the presidency into a vehicle for private profit.

Unlike the first-term reversal, the administration proceeded with the plan this time, with the White House stating the resort would not profit directly from hosting the event, though critics remain skeptical that indirect promotional benefits can be fully separated from the arrangement.