In a bold move echoing earlier controversies, President Donald Trump has announced his intention to convene the 2026 Group of Twenty (G20) summit at his own Trump National Doral Golf Club in Doral, Florida. This decision, first broached during his initial tenure, notably marks a full circle from 2020 when ethical concerns shuttered similar plans for the G7 summit at the same location.
The summit, as detailed by Trump during a recent Oval Office announcement, seeks to reinforce the administration’s economic strategies. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council and a noted figure viewed as a potential future leader of the U.S. Federal Reserve, is designated as the summit’s coordinator. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plays a pivotal role, tasked with crafting an agenda centered on economic liberation through reductions in regulatory burdens, advancements in affordable energy, and fostering groundbreaking technological innovations.
The Doral resort, purchased by Trump in 2012 for $150 million, is an expansive establishment initially inaugurated in the 1960s. It is strategically nested in a bustling metropolitan area of Miami, directly under the flight paths into Miami International Airport. The property boasts four golf courses, a luxurious 48,000-square-foot spa, and a massive pool featuring a 125-foot slide. Impressively, it also houses a 24,000-square-foot ballroom, envisioned as the focal point for summit activities. Acknowledging the logistical prowess of the venue, the White House has assured that the summit will be hosted at-cost, asserting that Trump Doral will not profit from the event—mitigating concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
A previous attempt by Trump to organize a G7 summit at this site in 2020 was met with sharp criticism and subsequent cancellation, mainly due to ethical implications coupled with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic which ultimately necessitated a virtual format for the meeting. Nonetheless, Trump’s current commitment to hosting the G20 summit underscores a possibly strategic disregard for previous criticisms, focusing instead on what he deems as operational and logistical suitability of the venue.
During his announcement, witnessed by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez among other dignitaries, Trump underscored the significance of the G20—a forum comprising 19 countries along with the European Union and the African Union. This collective represents a substantial majority of the world’s GDP and cross-border trade, positioning the summit as a critical event for global economic discourse. While the G20 cycles its host nations, selecting the United States—and specifically a Trump-owned property—speaks to a bold if controversial logistical choice.
Reflecting on upcoming international interactions, Trump indicated his likely absence from this year’s G20, set to convene in South Africa. Citing disagreements over local policies affecting white farmers, his non-attendance could signal shifting U.S. postures on certain international partnerships and obligations.
In a related vein, the hosting agenda and participant list for 2026 might see streamlining efforts, as intimated by an unnamed administration official. This ‘back-to-basics’ strategy aims to realign the summit towards its core objectives of fostering economic growth and financial stability, potentially scaling down the scope of participation compared to previous iterations of the summit.
Furthermore, Trump has exercised his prerogative to extend invitations to non-member states, nominating the newly elected president of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, to attend the summit. This gesture underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts to fortify bilateral relations and reflect on shared economic and policy interests.
This planned summit at Trump Doral marks yet another instance where Trump’s business interests are seen intersecting with his political obligations, continuing a pattern that has often sparked debate across political and public spheres regarding the propriety of such intersections. Despite this, the Trump administration appears resolute in navigating these complex waters, perhaps indicative of Trump’s broader political strategy and his administration’s economic priorities.
In summary, the announcement of the G20 Summit location at Trump National Doral aligns with the Trump administration’s larger economic and diplomatic agenda, albeit not without controversy. Stakeholders and observers alike may watch closely how this decision unfolds in the coming years, impacting both political and economic spheres locally and globally.
