Latest news with #GolfForceOne
The Herald Scotland
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Trump opens (and plays) his newest Scotland golf course
"We'll play it very quickly, and then I got back to D.C. and we put out fires all over the world," Trump said in a speech before he hit the links. "We stopped a war. But we've stopped about five wars, so that's much more important than playing golf. As much as a I like it, it's much more important," he said, referencing a ceasefire he helped broker between Cambodia and Thailand. More: Trump heads to Scotland for golf resort visits, Keir Starmer meeting U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer even joined the U.S. president and his family on their trip between golf resorts, taking Air Force One from one side of Scotland to the other, after meeting with Trump at the latter property to discuss trade and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Thank you so much for showing us around and having this opportunity to sit in this fantastic ballroom, which is absolutely incredible, and to start talking about some of the issues that are most pressing in your country and my country," Starmer told Trump as their meeting began at Turnberry. The new course will officially open on Aug. 13, according to the property's website, which boasts of an "unmatched experience" that will solidify Trump Scotland's reputation as a global golf destination. More: A look at 'Golf Force One': the black vehicle following Trump on the golf course "The best course anywhere in the world is Turnberry. The players all want to be at Turnberry. Everybody wants to be at Turnberry," Trump told reporters on July 25 after landing in Scotland. "And I would say Aberdeen is right up there also. Aberdeen's great," he said during the exchange. Trump's children have managed the business and the trust that his assets and investments are in since he returned to office, putting some distance between the U.S. president and the myriad of resorts, golf clubs, and other hospitality businesses the Trump Organization owns. But the arrangement that allows Trump and his family to potentially profit off the presidency has long raised ethical concerns. Trump's sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., caught a ride on Air Force One when Trump flew to Aberdeen with Starmer. The White House said that Eric's wife, Lara, and Don Jr.'s girlfriend, Bettina Anderson, were also on the plane. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Eric Trump said that developing the property had been a "passion project" for his father, "who went off to do larger things." The president's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in Scotland. "We wanted to continue his legacy," Eric Trump said of the upgrades. "Nothing was left out. We had an unlimited budget and we exceeded it. This was his Mona Lisa." Trump has feuded with his neighbors over the property for years and his visit reopened old wounds for some local residents. The president acknowledged that he was not warmly welcomed when he first began to develop the property. But he insisted it "wasn't bad" and that "with time they've liked us more and more" and now "they love us, and we love them." White House spokesman Taylor Rogers dismissed questions about possible conflicts of interest during Trump's trip to Scotland by touting a trade agreement Trump struck with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry property over the weekend. "I want to thank by the way the prime minister, who was here last night and was really very gracious and loves the place, love the area," he said of Starmer, who he said he gave a "preview" of the new course that will host the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship this week.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's Armored Golf Cart Spotted in Scotland
A new addition to President Donald Trump's security detail has made its debut at his golf course in Scotland, where his visit has drawn protests and a bomb threat. As the president hit the links of his Turnberry golf course this weekend, a black golf cart that appeared to be heavily fortified was seen following close behind. Dubbed 'Golf Force One' by media outlets, the souped-up cart arrives roughly 10 months after Trump survived an alleged assassination attempt while golfing. Trump, however, chose to cruise the course in a regular white golf cart on Saturday and Sunday, with the Golf Force One keeping close company. Experts told The Telegraph that the vehicle's heavy armor is evident from the distinctive black band around the windscreen. 'The windscreen is a giveaway, as are the side panels, doors, and the large panel at the rear above the load tray,' said an expert, who asked to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of his work. The president's official limousine 'The Beast' is similarly fortified. The $1.5 million Cadillac is bulletproof, blast resistant and hermetically sealed against chemical attacks, according to The Telegraph. Trump's private visit has drawn nearly a third of Police Scotland's manpower, according to Daily Mail. Several police snipers were observed setting up positions around the rural area where Trump stayed this weekend. The Independent reports that 1,500 officers have been pulled from their normal duties in support of Trump's four-day visit. Police Scotland has only said the costs would be 'considerable,' according to the Los Angeles Times. But policing for Trump's four-day visit to the U.K. in 2018—which also included two days in Turnberry—cost taxpayers more than $19 million. Widespread protests broke out in the country upon his arrival, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering in Edinburgh and other cities on Saturday, according to The Mirror US. Meanwhile, a man who said he had a bomb and wanted to 'send a message' to Trump forced a Glasgow-bound flight to make an emergency landing Sunday morning. In September 2024, Secret Service agents spotted a man aiming a rifle from the bushes at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Trump was approximately 900 to 1500 feet away, according to BBC. Agents fired at the suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Routh, who fled the scene but was later arrested by police about 40 miles from the course. He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to the incident. Two months earlier, Trump survived another attempt on his life during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A U.S. Secret Service spokesperson declined to comment on the 'Golf Force One' when contacted by the Daily Beast, stating, 'The U.S. Secret Service employs a variety of tools and resources to safeguard our protectees. In order to maintain operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss the specific means and methods used to conduct our protective operations.' The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment. Solve the daily Crossword
Business Insider
a day ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Photos show 'Golf Force One,' the Secret Service golf cart that accompanied Trump around his Scotland resort
A black Secret Service vehicle accompanied President Donald Trump on his golf course in Scotland. The vehicle appeared to be an armored Polaris Ranger XP utility task vehicle, or UTV. Nicknamed "Golf Force One," it's not the first time a president has customized a golf cart. A new vehicle has joined the Secret Service's presidential fleet. During a golf outing at his Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland on Saturday, President Donald Trump was accompanied by a golf cart that appeared to be plated in black armor. The vehicle, nicknamed "Golf Force One," is one of many modes of transportation the Secret Service uses to protect the commander in chief. Here's what we know about the presidential golf cart. President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland included golf outings at two of his properties. Trump embarked on a five-day trip to Scotland from July 25 to 29, mixing business and leisure in what the White House called a "working visit." The president played golf at Trump Turnberry, his resort in Ayrshire, and opened a new 18-hole course at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. He also met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and announced a new trade deal with the EU. Trump was joined by Eric and Lara Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson, and two of his grandchildren. A new Secret Service golf cart joined the entourage of vehicles following the president around the course at Trump Turnberry. The black vehicle, which appeared fully enclosed in black panels and tinted windows, stood out among the regular golf carts. Media outlets began referring to the cart as "Golf Force One," a play on other presidential vehicles such as Air Force One and Marine One. The vehicle appeared to be a customized Polaris Ranger XP utility task vehicle, or UTV, plated in armor. Retail prices for Polaris Ranger XP models start at $20,999, according to Polaris' website. Armor kits for Polaris Ranger XP vehicles come with a much steeper price tag. The War Zone reported that the US General Services Administration 's website lists a Polaris XP 1000 Ranger UTV armor kit manufactured by Scaletta Armoring for $188,922.92 that appears similar to the one accompanying Trump. A Polaris spokesperson told The War Zone that the vehicle was manufactured by Polaris, but customized elsewhere. Representatives for Polaris and Scaletta Armoring did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Jim McGuffey, an expert witness and global security consultant accredited by the Department of Homeland Security and certified by ASIS International, told BI that it's safe to assume that the vehicle has some protective value, such as armor and bulletproof glass. "It is armored, or it's material that looks like it's armored, and I would go with it's armored," he said. "To what level? I have no idea, nor do I think anybody else would by just looking at it." A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed to BI that the golf cart is "part of our presidential fleet of specialty vehicles," but declined to elaborate. "The US Secret Service employs a variety of tools and resources to safeguard our protectees," a Secret Service spokesperson told BI. "This vehicle is part of our presidential fleet of specialty vehicles. In order to maintain operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss the specific means and methods used to conduct our protective operations." Trump also drove his own separate golf cart, which featured a sign with the presidential seal. Other golf carts, such as one driven by Eric Trump, featured signs reading "Honored Guest," designating them for use by VIPs. Past presidential golf carts have featured more whimsical touches, such as President George W. Bush's "Golf Cart One" decal at Camp David.
Forbes
a day ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Trump Unveils Fortified ‘Golf Force One' In Scotland
President Donald Trump took what appeared to be an armored golf cart on his golfing trip in Scotland over the weekend, dubbed by some as 'Golf Force One,' which the White House confirmed to Forbes is part of Trump's fleet of specialty vehicles. Trump golfs in Scotland. (Photo by Jeff) Getty Images While playing golf at the Trump Turnberry course in Scotland over the weekend, Trump was photographed riding in a standard white golf cart while what appeared to be a fortified black golf cart, completely covered by doors and dark windows, followed closely behind him. A White House spokesperson confirmed to Forbes the black golf cart is 'part of the Presidential fleet of specialty vehicles,' but declined to comment on whether Trump will regularly take the cart with him on future golfing trips. The cart appears to be a Polaris Ranger X model, and Polaris confirmed to defense industry outlet The War Zone it manufactured the vehicle but someone else modified it to add fortification (Forbes has reached out to Polaris for comment). Forbes has reached out to the Secret Service and Polaris for comment. The armored golf cart, "Golf Course One," alongside other golf carts during Trump's trip to ... More Scotland. Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg © 2025 Bloomberg Finance LP Multiple experts told The Telegraph the armored golf cart contains several tell-tale signs of being fortified, including a black band around the windshield. 'The thing that gives it away is the front windscreen,' Gary Relf, who runs Armoured Car Services, a company that provides fortified vehicles to public figures and wealthy people, told the Telegraph, stating the vehicle appears to be armored. An unnamed British policing expert told The Telegraph the 'side panels, doors, and the large panel at the rear above the load tray' also appear to be armored, stating the vehicle appears to be defensively fortified and is not offensive. Trump's debut of his fortified golf cart comes nearly a year after a man was charged with attempted assassination of the then-presidential candidate at his Florida golf course in West Palm Beach. In September 2024, prosecutors say 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was spotted by Secret Service agents aiming a rifle at a member of Trump's security detail while he golfed at the Trump International Golf Club. A Secret Service agent fired at Routh, who fled in his vehicle and was later caught and arrested. Routh was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and three other weapons charges. The incident happened two months after Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. How Else Has Trump Stepped Up Security? After the assassination attempts, Trump bolstered his security measures when making public appearances. Following the Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt, Trump began speaking behind bulletproof glass. Trump also reportedly appeared to be surrounded by more security agents following the attempts. In a Truth Social post in September, Trump blamed Iran for 'threats on my life,' stating he is 'surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before.' In September, Congress passed a bill boosting security for presidential candidates, which entitled Trump and then-Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris to the same level of Secret Service protection as then-President Joe Biden. Tangent Trump's visit to Scotland was expected to cost Scottish taxpayers millions to cover increased security, the Associated Press reported. His four-day stop in the United Kingdom in 2018 reportedly cost about $19 million for policing. Trump's visit to Scotland sparked protests among locals, some of whom were angered at the cost his visit would impose on taxpayers. Further Reading 'Why isn't he paying?' Trump's golf visit to cost Scottish taxpayers (Associated Press) Golf Force One: Armour-plated cart follows Trump around course (The Telegraph)
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Trump's 'working trip' to Scotland includes opening a new golf course
The White House defended Donald Trump's stay at two golf properties during a "working visit" to Scotland that included meetings with European leaders. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is ending his trip to Scotland the same way he began it: promoting one of his golf properties. Trump attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for his newest 18-hole course at Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen on July 29 before his return to Washington after a visit to Scotland that saw him host two European leaders at his Turnberry property and Scottish National Party leader John Swinney at the Balmedie course's grand opening. "We'll play it very quickly, and then I got back to D.C. and we put out fires all over the world," Trump said in a speech before he hit the links. "We stopped a war. But we've stopped about five wars, so that's much more important than playing golf. As much as a I like it, it's much more important," he said, referencing a ceasefire he helped broker between Cambodia and Thailand. More: Trump heads to Scotland for golf resort visits, Keir Starmer meeting U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer even joined the U.S. president and his family on their trip between golf resorts, taking Air Force One from one side of Scotland to the other, after meeting with Trump at the latter property to discuss trade and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Thank you so much for showing us around and having this opportunity to sit in this fantastic ballroom, which is absolutely incredible, and to start talking about some of the issues that are most pressing in your country and my country," Starmer told Trump as their meeting began at Turnberry. The new course will officially open on Aug. 13, according to the property's website, which boasts of an "unmatched experience" that will solidify Trump Scotland's reputation as a global golf destination. More: A look at 'Golf Force One': the black vehicle following Trump on the golf course "The best course anywhere in the world is Turnberry. The players all want to be at Turnberry. Everybody wants to be at Turnberry," Trump told reporters on July 25 after landing in Scotland. "And I would say Aberdeen is right up there also. Aberdeen's great," he said during the exchange. Trump's children have managed the business and the trust that his assets and investments are in since he returned to office, putting some distance between the U.S. president and the myriad of resorts, golf clubs, and other hospitality businesses the Trump Organization owns. But the arrangement that allows Trump and his family to potentially profit off the presidency has long raised ethical concerns. Trump's sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., caught a ride on Air Force One when Trump flew to Aberdeen with Starmer. The White House said that Eric's wife, Lara, and Don Jr.'s girlfriend, Bettina Anderson, were also on the plane. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Eric Trump said that developing the property had been a "passion project" for his father, "who went off to do larger things." The president's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in Scotland. "We wanted to continue his legacy," Eric Trump said of the upgrades. "Nothing was left out. We had an unlimited budget and we exceeded it. This was his Mona Lisa." Trump has feuded with his neighbors over the property for years and his visit reopened old wounds for some local residents. The president acknowledged that he was not warmly welcomed when he first began to develop the property. But he insisted it "wasn't bad" and that "with time they've liked us more and more" and now "they love us, and we love them." White House spokesman Taylor Rogers dismissed questions about possible conflicts of interest during Trump's trip to Scotland by pointing to the trust and touting a trade agreement Trump struck with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry property over the weekend.
