October 18, 2026
If Trump fells 430 trees in the middle of a golf course, do they make a sound?
Executive Summary
The redevelopment of East Potomac Golf Links, led by Donald Trump, has faced significant legal challenges, with a US district judge halting the clearing of over 400 trees until at least October 26. Despite the administration's claims of progress, the project raises concerns about the potential privatization of a public asset, transforming the course into an elite venue rather than a community resource. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between individual interests and public good, as Trump seeks to assert control over a space that is meant for the enjoyment of all citizens. Stakeholders should consider the implications of this project on public access and the preservation of community resources.
Stoic Response
The Tension of Control vs. Community
In the current discourse surrounding the redevelopment of East Potomac Golf Links, the chief tension lies in the struggle between individual ambition and the collective good. As articulated in the article, “the administration is essentially seizing that asset from the American people.” This statement encapsulates the broader conflict: the desire of one individual to impose their vision upon a public resource, thereby threatening its accessibility and integrity for the community at large.
Recognize What You Can Control
As Stoics, we must first discern what lies within our control and what does not. In this case, the actions of Donald Trump and the legal proceedings surrounding the golf course are beyond our individual influence. However, our response to these actions is entirely within our purview. Recognize that while you cannot change the course of events, you can control your thoughts, reactions, and decisions regarding them.
Act with Purpose
In light of this understanding, consider how you can act purposefully within the realm of control. Engage in community discussions about the future of East Potomac Golf Links. Advocate for transparency and public input in decisions that affect shared resources. Your voice matters; use it to ensure that public assets remain accessible to all, not just a privileged few.
Cultivate Detachment from Outcomes
Finally, practice detachment from the outcomes of your actions. While you may strive for a public good, remember that the ultimate results may not align with your desires. As Marcus Aurelius advised, focus on your intentions and efforts rather than the uncontrollable outcomes. By doing so, you maintain inner peace and resilience, regardless of the external circumstances surrounding the redevelopment of East Potomac Golf Links.
Article Rewritten Through Stoic Lens
Journal of Marcus Aurelius: Reflections on the East Potomac Golf Links
On the Nature of Change
In the unfolding of events concerning the East Potomac Golf Links, I am reminded of the impermanence inherent in all things. The clearing of trees, halted by a judge’s decree, serves as a reminder that our desires often clash with the natural order. I must accept that the course of nature, like the course of a river, cannot be easily diverted by the will of one man, regardless of his power.
The Illusion of Control
It is easy to be swept away by the illusion of control that some believe they possess over public spaces. The desire to transform a community resource into a personal sanctuary reflects a misunderstanding of the greater good. We must remember that true leadership lies in stewardship, not ownership. The trees, which stand as silent witnesses to our follies, remind us that they belong not to one individual but to the collective spirit of the community.
The Balance of Interests
In this instance, I observe the tension between individual ambition and the welfare of the many. The project, driven by personal interest, threatens to undermine the shared joy that the golf course brings to the citizens. As I reflect upon this, I recognize the importance of virtue in governance. It is our duty to prioritize the common good over personal gain, to cultivate spaces that foster unity rather than division.
The Value of Community
The East Potomac Golf Links, with its courses and mini-golf, symbolizes more than mere recreation; it embodies the spirit of community. In transforming it into a venue for the elite, we risk losing a cherished gathering place for all. The essence of a community lies in its inclusivity, and we must strive to preserve that which brings us together.
Acceptance of the Present
As the legal proceedings unfold, I find solace in the acceptance of the present moment. The judge’s ruling serves as a reminder that all actions have consequences, and that patience is a virtue. We must trust in the unfolding of events, knowing that nature and justice will ultimately prevail.
The Pursuit of Virtue
In contemplating the motivations behind this project, I am drawn to the idea of virtue. It is not enough to seek personal pleasure or recognition; we must aspire to leave a legacy that enriches the lives of others. The true measure of a man is not in his possessions but in the impact he has on his community.
Conclusion: A Call to Reflection
As I conclude these reflections, I urge all stakeholders to consider the implications of their actions. Let us not be blinded by ambition but guided by wisdom. May we strive to protect our shared resources and honor the spirit of community, for in doing so, we cultivate a legacy that transcends the fleeting desires of the individual.
Source Body Text
When is a tree not a tree? When it’s an obstacle to a par-3. If a tree falls in the middle of a golf course, does it make a sound? Yeah, probably. I wasn’t there, but I have to assume, based on my limited knowledge of the laws of physics. What I do know is that Donald Trump’s crusade to clear more than 400 trees for the purposes of redeveloping East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level course isn’t happening. For now. The US district judge Ana Reyes shut down the project this week, though the administration claimed it had already cleared 430 of the planned 529 trees. This was after a May order from Reyes to require the White House to request approval for cutting down more than 10 trees. Reyes ordered a full stop to the tree clearing until 26 October, and threatened contempt of court if the administration doesn’t abide. As is always the case with this president, he is attempting to assert some manner of control over a public asset. In this case, said asset is a golf course, which means he’s really invested. You might not be able to get him to stop staring at Jon Husted’s ass to sort out inflation, gas prices or the conflict in Iran, but you better believe he can put aside the senator from Ohio’s manly posterior long enough to sort out dramatic changes to a public golf course. By seizing control of East Potomac Golf Links without any oversight or approval, the administration is essentially seizing that asset from the American people. By turning East Potomac into a championship-level course with an 18-hole layout, strategic hazards and expensive maintenance, Trump is inching the course away from being a public good and toward a private enclave for the elites. Yes, I’m talking about golf here. I understand the irony of trying to separate this sport from elitism. This isn’t exactly soccer, which you could play in a backyard, the street or inside your parents’ house until you knock a ball through the flatscreen TV. East Potomac is a popular course with the residents of DC. It has two nine-hole courses, an 18-hole course and a miniature golf area. The mini golf area has, as you’d hope, hazards shaped like national landmarks. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like there’s a way to putt a golf ball into Teddy Roosevelt’s mouth. At least not yet. This is yet another instance of the priorities of one person taking precedent over the needs of literally anyone else. Trump clearly wants to play on a fancy, private golf course in DC. All three DC golf courses are publicly owned and operated by the National Park Service (though the park service has a partnership with the non-profit National Links Trust to renovate and operate the courses, which Trump tried to terminate in December of 2025). East Potomac, being the largest, has the most opportunity to be the shrine to our commander-in-chief’s favorite leisure obsession. I can’t stop myself from picturing what the new East Potomac Golf Links would look like under Trump’s control. The first thing is, it would surely become Trump-East Potomac Golf Links, since a facility without his name on it is a facility wasted. Would the mini golf course survive? Doubtful, as mini golf is strictly for poor people, and the PGA and the United States Golf Association would be too busy laughing at the windmill hazards to schedule the US Open there. But if it stayed, I’d guess there’d be at least a few changes to the layout of the course. Perhaps you’d have to knock your ball past recreations of Trump Tower, a gold-plated toilet and the outstretched fist of the president himself. As much as I care about the beautiful old trees being torn out for no reason, I’m equally flabbergasted by what’s at the core of this project – the lust to turn Washington DC into Graceland, or a worse, Donald Trump-themed version of that. Graceland is the final home of Elvis Presley, and has become a popular tourist attraction since his passing. It’s a shrine to all things Elvis, full of merchandise and memorabilia. The area of Memphis around the home is designed to facilitate tourism and commerce. I love commerce as much as the next red-blooded American, and DC has long been dependent on tourism to prop up its economy. But the lure of DC was American history, not one man’s vanity project. Without oversight or lawful procedure, DC will become Graceland – a place for fans of a famous person to get their picture taken with his old shoes. As Trump’s tenure at the center of American life comes to an end in the next two years, he’s only going to accelerate his attempts to turn the nation’s capital into an extension of his own, very lucrative brand ventures. There are already numerous golf courses with Trump’s name on them, so the novelty isn’t even that potent. It’s that this course is ours, and by that, I mean it belongs to the taxpayers of this country. Taking it and its history and molding it to his will is the fun of it for Donald Trump. That it isn’t his, but it can be, makes it a conquest worthy of his time. Like the Kennedy Center, he can put his name on it, he can try to change it, but it will never truly be his. Dave Schilling is a Los Angeles-based writer and humorist