President Donald Trump has issued a warning to three people who were arrested in connection with vandalism at his golf course in Scotland.
In a Sunday night post on Truth Social, Trump accused the suspects of being “terrorists” and said he hoped they would be “treated harshly” by authorities.
Why It Matters
The activist group Palestine Action claimed responsibility for targeting the Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire, Scotland, last month. The attack came after Trump suggested the U.S. could “take over” Gaza and resettle about 2 million Palestinians as part of plans to rebuild the region into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump and the Attorney General Pam Bondi have issued similar warnings about harsh punishments for people targeting Tesla vehicles while protesting the company’s owner, Elon Musk, and that the attacks amount to “terrorism.”
File photo: President Donald Trump reacts as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry on the west coast of Scotland on May 2, 2023.
File photo: President Donald Trump reacts as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry on the west coast of Scotland on May 2, 2023.
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images
What To Know
Police were called to Trump Turnberry on March 8 to reports of vandalism. The phrase “Gaza is not 4 sale” was painted across the resort’s lawn, and red paint was splashed on buildings and floors. Damage was also reported on the resort’s greens.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Trump said he was informed of the arrests by Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The U.S. president wrongly stated that all three suspects were “in prison.”
A 33-year-old man has been charged in connection with damage to the golf course and is due to appear at Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday. Two others—a 75-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman—were released pending further inquiries, Police Scotland said.
The damage was reported around 4:40 a.m. on Saturday, March 8. The 33-year-old was initially arrested on March 12, with the two other suspects arrested on March 26.
None of the three suspects is accused of terrorist offenses.
The Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, (Trump Doonbeg) was also targeted days after the incident in Scotland. The resort’s green was repeatedly dug up, and Palestinian flags were planted on the grounds.
No arrests have been made in connection with the damage at Trump Doonbeg on March 12. Palestine Action did not claim responsibility for the vandalism at the resort in Ireland.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “I was just informed by Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom that they caught the terrorists who attacked the beautiful Turnberry in Scotland. They did serious damage and will hopefully be treated harshly. The three people who did this are in prison. You cannot let things like this attack happen, and I greatly appreciate the work of Prime Minister Starmer and U.K. law enforcement.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson told Newsweek: “Inquiries are ongoing.”
A Trump Doonbeg spokesperson previously told Newsweek: “This was a childish, criminal act, but the incredible team at Trump Doonbeg will ensure it does not impact business. We have the greatest course anywhere in the world, and we are so proud of the tremendous success. We look forward to a great season ahead.”
What Happens Next
The 33-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident at Trump Turnberry is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
