President Donald Trump sharply criticized Washington’s likely next mayor while unveiling new plans to renovate one of the capital’s public golf courses, combining political attacks with a vision for major development projects across the city.
In a series of social media posts on Sunday, Trump targeted Janeese Lewis George, who secured victory in the Democratic mayoral primary earlier this week. Her primary win makes her the clear favorite in November’s general election in the strongly Democratic city.
Trump said he plans to meet with Lewis George but strongly criticized her political views. He described her as a communist and claimed he would not allow Washington to be damaged under her leadership. Lewis George identifies herself as a democratic socialist, not a communist.
The president has increasingly used the term “communist” to describe political opponents in recent weeks. He also applied the label to several progressive Democratic candidates who recently won primary elections in New York City with the support of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Trump argued that his administration has already improved safety in the nation’s capital through the deployment of National Guard troops. He claimed these efforts helped restore Washington as a safe and respected city, although his comments have continued to draw political debate.
Alongside his criticism of local political leaders, Trump promoted several projects that he said would improve Washington’s appearance and attract more visitors.
One of the biggest announcements involved East Potomac Golf Links, a historic public golf course located on an island in the Potomac River. After touring the facility on Sunday, Trump described the course as outdated and in poor condition.
He said the property’s location offers exceptional views of Washington’s monuments and waterfront, making it an ideal site for a world-class golf destination. Trump said the renovation would transform the course into one of the finest golf facilities anywhere in the world.
According to the president, the redesigned course could eventually host major professional tournaments, including the U.S. Open. He believes the project would strengthen Washington’s reputation as a destination for sports and tourism while preserving the area’s scenic setting.
Trump also discussed plans to restore the Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial. He said the pool would be drained after the Independence Day celebrations so workers could repair damage to its surface.
The president said the pool had been coated with a blue material designed for swimming pools to improve its appearance. However, the coating has peeled in several places, while algae growth has turned much of the water green.
Trump repeated earlier claims that vandals caused much of the damage to the Reflecting Pool. He accused what he called radical left activists of cutting and damaging the protective coating. He did not provide evidence to support those allegations.
The National Park Service has previously confirmed that several people were arrested in connection with vandalism at the site. However, officials have not publicly linked those arrests to the specific damage Trump described.
The golf course renovation is the latest in a series of construction and redevelopment projects promoted by Trump since returning to office. His administration has already announced plans for major changes around the White House complex, including replacing the East Wing with a large ballroom designed to host official events.
Trump has also proposed building a large memorial arch near Arlington National Cemetery to honor fallen American service members. Supporters say the projects would modernize parts of the capital, while critics argue they could significantly alter historic public spaces.
The East Potomac Golf Links proposal remains one of the administration’s most ambitious recreation projects. If completed, it could reshape one of Washington’s best-known public golf facilities and potentially attract major sporting events in the years ahead.
Meanwhile, Trump’s political dispute with Washington’s incoming leadership is expected to continue as the city prepares for the November mayoral election. His latest comments highlight ongoing tensions between the Republican administration and Democratic leaders in the nation’s capital while major redevelopment plans move forward.
