Trump Opens Scottish Golf Course Amid Global Tensions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump inaugurated a new Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, during a working visit that combined diplomatic meetings with personal business. While opening the luxury course, Trump addressed key global issues including Gaza’s hunger crisis, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and U.S.-EU trade tensions. The event blended political posturing with personal promotion, drawing media and global attention.
Trump Golf Course Opening Quick Looks
- Trump opens newest luxury golf course in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Calls project a “passion” and tees off first round with Eric Trump
- Simultaneously conducts diplomatic talks with UK PM Keir Starmer
- Addresses Gaza food crisis, calling it “real starvation”
- Promises U.S.-Europe aid centers to deliver food in Gaza
- Warns Putin has 10–12 days to act on Ukraine war
- Finalizes 15% tariff deal with EU, avoiding 30% hike
- Defends against Epstein allegations, seeks Murdoch deposition in lawsuit
- Eric Trump says father “saved the free world”
- Trump says his goal was to build the “greatest 18 holes”
- Champagne exporters voice concern over tariff fallout
Deep Look: Trump Opens Scottish Golf Course as Global Pressures Rise
ABERDEENSHIRE, Scotland (AP) — President Donald Trump officially opened his family’s latest golf resort, the Trump International Golf Links, in northeast Scotland on Tuesday, blending ceremony with statesmanship in a high-profile event that marked both business promotion and geopolitical maneuvering.
Flanked by his sons Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, the president wielded a pair of gold scissors to cut the ribbon at the new 18-hole course. Designed by Eric Trump, the project has been described as a “passion” of the former president. “I think he’s going to be incredibly proud of this amazing masterpiece,” Eric said, before his father became the course’s first official player.
A Golf Course Opening with Diplomatic Undertones
But this was more than a ceremonial tee-off. The golf resort’s debut came in the midst of a working trip, during which Trump also held diplomatic discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, addressed humanitarian concerns in Gaza, escalated his rhetoric against Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and finalized a consequential trade deal with the European Union.
“I have fires to put out all over the world,” Trump told the press before heading to play 18 holes. His time in Scotland, he added, was “busy, but productive.”
On Gaza: A Public Break with Netanyahu
One of the most significant headlines from Trump’s trip was his stark disagreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the severity of hunger in Gaza.
“Those children look very hungry,” Trump said Monday. “Some of those kids are — that’s real starvation stuff.”
Netanyahu had previously claimed, “There is no starvation in Gaza,” a statement Trump publicly contradicted while standing beside Starmer.
Trump vowed to increase aid and said the U.S. would work with Europe to build food centers inside Gaza. “I want them to make sure they get the food,” he said, referencing a conversation he had with Netanyahu.
On Ukraine: A Shortened Deadline for Putin
Trump also shifted timelines regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, moving up his demand for progress. Earlier in July, he gave Russia until early September to reach a peace agreement or face severe tariffs. On Monday, he shortened that deadline to 10–12 days, indicating he wants visible steps toward peace by August 7–9.
He again floated the use of “severe tariffs” as leverage against Russia and emphasized his dissatisfaction with President Vladimir Putin’s lack of movement on ending the war.
On Trade: US-EU Tariff Deal Prevents Escalation
Another diplomatic development was Trump’s confirmation of a new U.S.-EU trade deal announced Sunday. The agreement imposes a 15% tariff on most European imports, averting a much higher 30% rate Trump had threatened.
Trump met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at one of his Scottish courses to finalize the agreement. While the deal staves off immediate trade retaliation, it is already causing economic ripples, with French champagne producers expressing concern that the tariffs could disrupt their U.S. sales.
Epstein Fallout and Legal Moves
Trump also addressed lingering questions about his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein, telling reporters that he never visited Epstein’s island, despite being invited, and that their relationship ended after Epstein “stole people who worked for me.” The president characterized the narrative as a “hoax.”
Simultaneously, Trump filed a motion in federal court seeking to depose Rupert Murdoch within 15 days, as part of a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal. The suit relates to reporting on Trump’s alleged ties to Epstein. Trump’s legal team cited Murdoch’s age—he is 94—and potential health concerns as reasons for the expedited request.
A Day of Global Headlines and Personal Branding
Tuesday’s events spotlighted Trump’s continued ability to merge political influence with personal branding, using a golf course launch as a backdrop for major international developments.
Eric Trump, introducing the course, said the development had been “a dream,” and that his father “put every ounce of his heart and his soul and his effort” into the project. “Then he went on to do larger things — and that’s saved the free world,” he added.
As Trump departed for Washington, he left behind not only a new luxury venue but also a trail of policy shifts, diplomatic tensions, and renewed controversy that will follow him into his next engagements.
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