President Trump reportedly pressed a U.S. ambassador to raise the possibility of hosting the British Open at his golf course.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that despite at least one staff member’s protests, Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood Johnson IV decided to honor the president’s request.
According to three sources who spoke with the newspaper, Trump wondered in February 2018 if the British government could direct the British Open to take place at the Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland and asked Johnson to do some digging for him.
Weeks later, Johnson allegedly broached the subject with Scottish Secretary of State David Mundell. In an interview with the New York Times, Mundell said it would be inappropriate to discuss his conversations with Johnson but directed the paper to a statement that said Johnson “made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.”
Even if Johnson did make such a request, it doesn’t appear that he had any effect on the tournament’s future locations. None of the next four British Opens are scheduled to be played at the president’s resort.
The emoluments clause of the Constitution prohibits the president from accepting gifts from foreign governments.
Last year, Trump announced his decision to host the Group of 7 meeting at his resort in Miami but reversed course after public outrage.
