Flags, fireworks and a ferris wheel. Children splashing and shouting in the swimming pool. A giant inflatable slide. Barbecue smells in the air. Red, white and blue cupcakes for dessert.
This is America at its most nostalgic and it’s where President Donald Trump will celebrate the Fourth of July weekend, his private golf club in New Jersey.
He’ll start the day at the White House. He and Melania Trump will host a picnic for military members in the afternoon and then watch the fireworks from the White House.
And, as a surprise for the soldiers, the White House has arranged a military flyover of F-12, F-35s and one B2 bomber, the same type of plane that conducted the nuclear strikes in Iran.
But then they’ll head to Bedminster, landing there Friday evening.
They’ll spend the weekend at their private cottage on the property – a location special to both of them as Trump acquired the property when they were a couple.
Trump’s Bedminster National Golf Club sits on 500 acres in the New Jersey countryside. This is horse country. There are rolling green hills, dirt roads, and quaint cottages.
But, for Donald Trump, it’s a haven filled with cheering supporters and golf. Much, much golf.
In addition to the tee time and the holiday festivities, the president will get some family time.
Bedminster is where the Trump clan camps out in the hot summer months, staying at private cottages and driving their personalized golf carts.
Trump, Jared Kushner, his children Arabella and Theodore, Ivanka Trump, Seryl Kushner and U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner attend a flag-raising ceremony
Ivanka Trump, the daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, and her children Arabella Rose and Joseph Frederick
A ferris wheel known as ‘The Wonder Wheel’ is available for rides at Bedminster
Trump’s golf club all out for the holidays, as shown in online photos of previous Memorial Day and July 4th parties: the giant swimming pool is open for splashing and a massive American flag decorates the barn that sits behind it.
A ferris wheel known as ‘The Wonder Wheel’ spins and lights up the night sky. Massive tents on the law have an American feast: roasted meat, patriotic cupcakes, and there are fire pits at night to roast marshmallows.
Kids can go down the giant inflatable slide or run under the red, white, and blue balloon arch.
There is a dress code: Men are required to wear shirts with collars and sleeves, slacks or mid length shorts must be no shorter than two inches above the knee. Hats must be forward facing. Cargo shorts/pants are not permitted. Women can wear dresses, skirts, slacks, or shorts with the same two inch rule.
For President Trump, Marine One will fly him directly to the property and sit him down outside the clubhouse, where supporters can cheer and capture the moment on their cell phones.
There are two golf courses he can play on.
Golf carts are the preferred methods of transportation – the president drives his own with Secret Service agents following him.
President Donald Trump playing golf at his Trump National Golf Club Bedminster
First Lady Melania Trump carries teddy bears for children as she arrives during a visit at Children’s National Hospital in Washington
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner – with their children – at Trump Bedminster in August 2023 at the LIV Golf Tournament
The pool at Bedminster, behind it a giant America flag flies on the barn
Fireworks at Bedminster on Memorial Day
The property is important to Donald and Melania as Trump bought it when they were a couple.
The Trumps spend the summers there with Barron. They have a cottage on the property where Melania would dine with Barron and her parents while Trump glad-handed in the clubhouse, noted Mary Jordan in her book ‘The Art of Her Deal.’
Amalija Knavs – when she was alive – would cook dinner for the foursome, who would speak in Slovenia to one another.
And, it was Bedminster that Melania insisted Trump be brought after an assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024.
Melania wasn’t at the campaign rally. But she spoke to Trump when he was in the hospital and she argued repeatedly with the head of Trump’s Secret Service detail, Sean Curran, to bring him to Bedminster.
She won, Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf reveal in their forthcoming book ‘2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America.’ The Washington Post published early excerpts.
A red, white and blue balloon arch decorates Bedminster
Eric and Lara Trump with their children at the LIV tournament in August 2023
A giant American flag flies at the golf club
Dubbed the ‘Summer White House,’ Trump’s Bedminster Trump National Golf Club is a haven for the entire family, who stay in private ‘cottages’ on the property.
Jared and Ivanka have their own cottage, near the president’s and first lady’s. There are other guest houses for the remaining Trump children to use, making a family compound on the property.
The president expanded his cottage by 500 square feet a few years ago after getting approval to add a second-floor balcony and a porch. It also has a large turret and picture windows.
The Secret Service added a red brick wall around it for security reasons.
Ivanka and Jared also expanded their cottage to add a basement and extra bedrooms to accommodate their growing family.
Their home now has an expanded master bedroom, bath and dressing room, two new bedrooms (for a total of five), a study and a ground floor veranda.
The couple married on the property in 2009.
The club is open for membership. The initiation fee runs $125,000, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Members can stay on the property, renting rooms or one of the smaller cottages. It’s a popular wedding venue with a large ballroom for the reception. There’s a converted barn and old stable that make great backdrops for photos.
The club house at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster
The Trump family stay in white ‘cottages’ like the one above that Ivanka Trump posted on Instagram with husband Jared Kushner and two of their children
In 2014, the Trumps received approval to build a family cemetery at the club. It’s where Ivana Trump is buried.
The original proposal for the cemetery plans included a mausoleum with 10 plots and a 19ft tall stone obelisk.
Trump bought the property from a developer in 2002. The golf course was being built when he purchased it.
He turned it into a private country club. The course has been home to two LIV Golf Tournaments.
Previously called Lamington Farm, it had once been owned by John DeLorean, who created the winged-door DeLorean sports car of ‘Back to the Future’ fame.
