Topline
The presidential seal has turned up at a sixth Trump golf course—this time gilded in gold, hanging in the dining room of his DC-area club—once again raising questions about whether its display violates federal law barring its use in ways that suggest government endorsement.
President Donald Trump speaks behind the presidential seal at the Stop The Steal rally on Jan. 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesKey Facts
An Instagram post from Aug. 24 shows a golden version of the presidential seal hanging in the dining area of President Donald Trump’s golf club in Potomac Falls, Virginia.
The seal appears to have been added within the past six months, while Trump was back in office, as it does not appear in a photo of the same area posted in February 2025.
Since 2021, golf markers featuring the presidential seal have been spotted at two Trump golf courses in Florida, one in New Jersey and two in New York (one of which was subsequently sold).
Federal law prohibits the use of the presidential seal “in a manner reasonably calculated to convey a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the government,” with violations punishable by fines and up to six months imprisonment.
Spokespeople for the White House and Trump Organization did not respond to requests for comment.
Key Background
In 2018, ProPublica and WNYC’s “Trump, Inc.” podcast uncovered a batch of golf markers displaying the presidential seal at the manufacturer’s plant. At the time, the Trump Organization blamed the incident on diehard supporters and quickly got rid of the markers. “The plaques were presented to the club by a small group of members, who are incredible fans of the president, in honor of Presidents’ Day weekend,” the business said in a 2018 statement to the podcast. “They were temporary and have since been removed.” In 2021, though, similar-looking markers started popping up at Trump’s courses in the Bronx; Bedminster, New Jersey; Jupiter and West Palm Beach, Florida; and Westchester, New York. This is the first time the seal has been spotted at a Trump club in gold.
An Instagram photo from August shows the presidential seal hanging in the dining area of Donald Trump’s Virginia golf club, a possible violation of federal law.
Instagram/adriennegraytvChief Critic
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a government watchdog, urged the Department of Justice in both 2018 and 2021 to investigate the Trump clubs’ use of the presidential seal. The department did not respond immediately to a request for comment, and any action it may have taken does not appear to be public.
Contra
Enforcement of the presidential seal law is rare. Past cases, such as The Onion receiving a cease-and-desist in 2005, suggest regulators have typically issued warnings rather than pursued criminal charges.
Crucial Quote
“President-elect Trump wants there to be no doubt in the minds of the American public that he is completely isolating himself from his business interests,” Trump’s attorney Sheri Dillon said at a press conference in January 2017, shortly before his first inauguration. “He instructed us to take all steps realistically possible to make it clear that he is not exploiting the office of the presidency for his personal benefit.”
Tangent
When Trump addressed the 220 largest holders of his $TRUMP meme coin at the same Virginia golf club in May, he spoke from a lectern bearing the presidential seal—even though White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was attending the dinner in his personal capacity.
Surprising Fact
President Harry Truman issued an executive order in 1945 standardizing the presidential seal, turning the eagle to face the olive branch of peace instead of the arrows of war, according to the White House Historical Association. Previously, the design was subject to changes by individual presidents.
News Peg
Trump’s net worth has jumped about $3 billion in the past year, according to Forbes’ latest calculations, largely on the back of his presidency. The surge has been driven less by real estate or his golf clubs than by the soaring value of his crypto-linked ventures.
Forbes Valuation
Forbes estimates Donald Trump is worth about $7.2 billion.
Further ViewingFurther Reading
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Trump Media Takes Streaming Global As President Slashes Voice Of America (Forbes)
Trump Org Keeps Bringing In Foreign Workers To Staff Its Clubs And Winery (Forbes)
Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club Flagged For 18 Health Violations In Latest Inspection—Earned Lowest Grade In County (Forbes)
Why Lower Rates Are Good For Trump’s Own Bank Account (Forbes)
