In a move that’s already stirring up debate, former President Donald Trump has announced that the 2026 G20 summit will be held at his own Trump National Doral golf resort in Miami. The decision, shared from the Oval Office on Thursday, is being positioned by Trump as practical — and, in his words, simply “beautiful.”
“It’s going to be at Doral,” said the 79-year-old, adding, “Everybody wants it there. It’s next to the airport, it’s the best location. It’s beautiful — everything’s beautiful.”
Trump says there’s no personal gain involved. “We’re not making any money on it. I just want it to go well,” he told reporters, as critics raised their eyebrows. Given Trump’s long history of blending personal business with politics, the announcement quickly reignited concerns about conflicts of interest and potential misuse of public office.
This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to bring world leaders to Doral. Back in 2019, during his first presidency, he floated the idea of hosting the G7 summit at the same resort. That plan sparked a storm of criticism and accusations of self-dealing, eventually leading Trump to backtrack — blaming the “media and Democrat crazed and irrational hostility.”
Fast-forward to now, and he seems more confident in pushing forward. He claims logistical advantages — like a shortage of available hotel rooms in December — make Doral the perfect choice. He also says the resort will offer “each country its own building,” painting a picture of a grand, self-contained international gathering.
Despite the controversy, Trump insists this is about practicality and presentation, not personal enrichment.
But that hasn’t stopped the ethical questions from resurfacing. Critics see echoes of the same issues that plagued his first term — the blurry line between public service and private profit.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Trump said he would be open to inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. “I would love them to, if they want to,” he said, suggesting they may attend as “observers.”
He also confirmed he’ll skip this year’s G20 summit in South Africa, citing controversial and widely-debunked claims about the treatment of white citizens there. Instead, Vice President JD Vance will represent the U.S.
With this announcement, Trump is not only setting the stage for a high-profile global event in 2026 — he’s also inviting a new wave of scrutiny. For many, it’s déjà vu. For Trump, it’s business as usual.
