Trump’s Weekend Getaway in Florida: Golf, Protests, and Economic Turmoil Collide
President Donald Trump’s eighth South Florida weekend getaway was anything but low-key. In fact, it was a wild mash-up of golfing triumphs, economic uncertainty, fiery protests, and his signature all-caps social media rallies. If you were looking for calm amid chaos—this wasn’t it.
The juxtaposition of events was as striking as ever. On one hand, Trump was making swings on some of the most exclusive fairways in Florida. On the other? The country was gripped by stock market panic, recession warnings, and nationwide demonstrations pushing back against his administration’s moves.
A Golf-Fueled Presidential Tour
Let’s start with the golf. Trump went on what can only be described as a “golf trifecta” across his three elite clubs: Trump National Doral in Miami-Dade, Trump International in West Palm Beach, and Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter.
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Day 1: He kicked off the weekend at Trump National Doral, where a Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tournament was underway. The timing couldn't have been more controversial, especially with economic fears escalating.
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Day 2: The president played at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where he also attended a private candlelight dinner at Mar-a-Lago. That same day, JPMorgan’s chief economist made headlines, warning the U.S. could slip into recession by late 2025.
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Day 3: Saturday saw Trump at Trump National Jupiter, reportedly competing in his club’s Senior Championship. According to the White House, he won his second-round matchup and advanced to the championship round on Sunday.
While supporters cheered his wins, critics pointed out the stark contrast: Wall Street was tanking, and Trump was teeing off.
Meanwhile, Main Street Took a Hit
During that very same weekend, U.S. markets were in freefall. In just two days, the nation’s equity markets shed about $6 trillion in value. That’s not just numbers on a screen—it hits home for millions of Americans with retirement funds and savings tied to the market.
And yet, Trump seemed unfazed.
“Big business is not worried about the Tariffs... they are focused on the BIG, BEAUTIFUL DEAL which will SUPERCHARGE our Economy,” he posted confidently.
This bold declaration came even as small investors and average families watched their portfolios shrink. The president’s optimism didn't stop there. On Saturday morning, he fired off another missive:
"THIS IS AN ECONOMIC REVOLUTION, AND WE WILL WIN. HANG TOUGH!"
He also doubled down on his belief that "only the weak will fail!"
For his supporters, it was classic Trump bravado. For his critics, it was an insensitive slap in the face as Americans braced for potential financial hardship.
America Reacts: Protests and Pushback
While Trump was celebrating on the green, a different scene was unfolding across Palm Beach County—and across the country.
Thousands took to the streets in nationwide protests aimed directly at Trump’s economic policies, immigration agenda, and trade tariffs. In West Palm Beach, just a few miles from Mar-a-Lago, demonstrators held signs reading: “STOCKS PLUNGE, TRUMP GOLFS.”
It wasn’t just a Palm Beach thing either. Demonstrations spanned major cities and small towns alike, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with the direction the country was heading.
Yet, as the protests surged, the White House was busy celebrating Trump’s weekend win at the golf course, stating:
“The President won his second round matchup of the Senior Club Championship.”
Talk about mixed messaging.
A Divided Nation, On and Off the Course
As the economy reeled and Americans voiced frustration, Trump remained largely silent in person. His only direct messages came through social media posts. There were no press conferences, no sit-down interviews. Just tweets and statements, often featuring pictures of him in a golf cart or arriving in his signature limo at his clubs.
At one point, his press pool noted “a lot of supporters” along the motorcade route—just hours after protestors had flooded the same streets.
And while Trump was racking up golf victories, the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stepped in for the President at a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for four fallen U.S. service members. Their sacrifice during a military training mission in Lithuania stood in stark contrast to the weekend’s lighter moments.
Tariff Tensions and Policy Confusion
Trump’s bold approach to tariffs was a central theme of the weekend. He painted the trade war as a battle for economic freedom, a fight to rebalance unfair practices from nations like China.
“We have been the dumb and helpless ‘whipping post,’ but not any longer. We are bringing back jobs and businesses like never before,” he declared on April 5.
Still, economists weren’t entirely buying it. Some had cautiously supported his “Liberation Day” tariff rollout earlier in the week, believing targeted duties could spark a positive shift in global trade. But many of those same analysts quickly reversed course, calling the measures “punitive” and “excessive.”
Even Elon Musk reportedly strayed from Trump’s script, suggesting a “zero tariff” policy between the U.S. and the EU while addressing a conservative audience in Italy. That's a major deviation from the administration’s narrative and adds another layer of confusion to an already volatile situation.
The Fed Isn’t Biting
On Friday, as Trump was finishing up a round at Trump International, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell was giving a keynote to the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW). His message? It’s too early to tell how Trump’s policies will really impact the economy.
Trump had just tweeted—again in all caps—“CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!” But Powell didn’t budge.
“We've taken a step back and we're watching to see what the policies turn out to be,” Powell calmly replied. “It’s just too soon to say.”
When asked about pressure from the White House, Powell stood his ground:
“I fully intend to serve all of my term.”
It was a rare moment of calm and certainty during a weekend filled with mixed signals, dramatic visuals, and rising tensions.
Final Thoughts
From private club dinners to global economic moves, Trump's weekend in South Florida was a perfect snapshot of his presidency: polarizing, unpredictable, and always headline-worthy. The man who told Americans to “hang tough” was simultaneously enjoying exclusive championship golf, while Main Street watched markets nosedive and uncertainty rise.
Whether you see him as a warrior in an “economic revolution” or a president distracted by personal pursuits, one thing is clear—Trump knows how to keep the spotlight exactly where he wants it.
And as the 2025 recession clouds begin to gather, America is left to wonder: Will the next round be played on the course, or in the economic arena?
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