Secret Service Spent $26K on Doonbeg Golf Carts
The Secret Service incurred over $49,000 in expenses at a Trump-owned resort during a presidential trip to Ireland.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Golf
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Records show the Secret Service paid $26,353.47 for golf cart rentals and $22,957 for hotel rooms at Donald Trump's Doonbeg resort in September 2026. The costs were associated with protecting the President of the United States during his visit to the country.
Why it matters
The spending reflects ongoing scrutiny over federal funds used at properties owned by the President. A 2024 House Oversight Committee report previously alleged that Trump properties charged the agency rates higher than standard pricing.
The agency spent a total of $49,310.47 on lodging and transport at the Doonbeg resort. This follows a broader trend where the cost of presidential golf trips has reached $200 million since 2025, compared to $151.5 million during the first term.
The players
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States and owns the resort property where the federal expenditures occurred.
Micheál Martin
He is the Prime Minister of Ireland who met with the President during the 2026 trip.
Catherine Connolly
She is the President of Ireland who held meetings with the visiting U.S. delegation.
House Oversight Committee
This is a congressional body that previously investigated federal spending at properties owned by the President.
The details
The Secret Service procured the fleet of golf carts to facilitate protective details during the presidential visit to the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel. While officials managed security, approximately 100 protesters gathered in the town of Doonbeg, which has a total population of 297.
Timeline
September 12, 2026: The President began his Ireland visit in Dublin.
September 14, 2026: The President returned to the United States.
2027: The President intends to visit Ireland for the Ryder Cup.
Season Trajectory
This spending aligns with the ongoing scrutiny established by the 2024 House Oversight Committee report on presidential property expenditures. The Doonbeg costs mirror patterns of federal payments to private assets that have previously drawn legislative pushback.
The expenditure represents a direct utilization of federal tax dollars to support presidential logistics at a private resort. These costs contribute to a multi-year total of $200 million spent on presidential golf-related travel since 2025.
The takeaway
The use of private facilities for official presidential protection continues to generate significant debate over federal procurement practices. Taxpayers and lawmakers remain focused on whether these operational expenses represent reasonable costs for the Secret Service.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of professional golf and high-profile visits, see our Golf section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Independent.
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