Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has extended a high-profile invitation to Donald Trump, urging the president to visit Australia and indulge in his favourite pastime — golf, after Trump’s Ryder Cup trip came at a staggering cost.
“Perhaps we could time it with the President’s Cup in Australia! We’ll organise a time soon for you, Mr President!” Albanese said as the two met at the White House on Monday.
For Trump, the proposition is tailor-made. The 78-year-old tycoon-turned-President has long been a passionate golfer, owning multiple courses worldwide and frequently working the greens while in office, although his “lie” about the number of golf championships he’s won recently came to light.
But his affection for the sport carries significant financial implications. Since returning to the presidency, his leisure trips, often to his own properties, have been clocked and cost American taxpayers millions of dollars.
A March report from The Independent, referencing a 2019 Government Accountability Office study, estimated that Trump’s golf trips had already cost U.S. taxpayers more than $18 million.
The total included the expenses of flying Air Force One and an accompanying cargo plane that transports the presidential motorcade between Washington and Palm Beach International Airport.
That total also covered just 13 outings, meaning the true expense is almost certainly much higher as Trump’s golf visits have nearly doubled since then. At his current pace, he’s projected to exceed the $151.5 million in golf-related costs incurred during his first four-year term.
The Australian invitation goes beyond polite diplomacy. Linking Trump’s potential visit to the President’s Cup, which heads to Kingston Heath Golf Club near Melbourne in 2028, would serve practical purposes — reinforcing U.S.–Australia relations and underlining shared interests in defense and trade.
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During their White House meeting, Albanese and Trump discussed key issues including critical-mineral supply chains, tariffs and the AUKUS defense pact. The golf proposal appears to be a lighter follow-up to those broader strategic talks.
Even so, the timing has drawn scrutiny. As Australia extends a high-profile invitation, Trump continues to face criticism at home over the public cost of his golf outings.
