Noah Patel
There has been much speculation about the Secret Service renting golf carts from Donald Trump's companies. In 2018, Rep. Adam Schiff claimed that the Secret Service had paid the Trump Organization over $150,000 for renting golf carts to protect Trump on his rounds. However, this was later refuted by American Bridge spokesman Harrell Kirsten, who stated that they had not found any contracts between the Secret Service and Trump's companies. In 2020, it was reported that the Secret Service signed a $179,000 contract for golf cart rentals at Trump's Bedminster course, rented from the New York-based Associates Golf Car Service. While the Secret Service has been known to rent golf carts from various companies, the question of whether they rented directly from Trump's companies remains a subject of discussion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2018, 2020, 2025 |
| Amount paid by the Secret Service | $179,000, $600,000, $95,250, $550,930, $150,000 |
| Company Secret Service rented from | Associates Golf Car Service, Golf Car & Utility Vehicle Distributors |
| Location | Bedminster, New Jersey, Florida |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Secret Service paid $179,000 to rent golf carts at Trump's Bedminster course
- Rep. Adam Schiff claimed the Trump Organization was paid over $150,000 by the Secret Service
- The Secret Service rents golf carts from other companies, not Trump companies
- The Secret Service deployed an armoured Polaris Ranger Golf Force One to protect Trump
- Trump's golf trips have cost taxpayers a small fortune, including $600,000 for golf carts and port-a-potties
The Secret Service paid $179,000 to rent golf carts at Trump's Bedminster course
In 2020, federal spending records revealed that the Secret Service had signed a contract worth $179,000 to rent golf carts and other vehicles in Bedminster, New Jersey. The Trump National Golf Club Bedminster is owned by former President Donald Trump. The Secret Service has previously rented golf carts for use during the President's visits to his golf clubs.
The golf carts were rented from the New York-based Associates Golf Car Service, which has supplied the vehicles on each of Trump's visits to Bedminster. The contract was signed ahead of one of Trump's visits to his club, though it is unknown whether he had a trip planned at the time. The Secret Service also protects his family, including his daughter Ivanka, who visited Bedminster the previous month despite stay-at-home coronavirus orders.
The Secret Service paid Associates Golf Car $95,000 for the service in 2019, and $118,000 the year before. In 2018, Associates Golf Car Service signed a contract worth $13,600 with the Secret Service when Trump travelled to his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, for a "working vacation". In July 2018, during a trip to his Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland, the property charged the Secret Service $923 for golf cart rentals. Trump was accused of overcharging the Secret Service by up to 300% to rent hotel rooms at a Washington, D.C. hotel he owned during his first term.
In 2025, it was reported that the Secret Service was allocating more than $600,000 to rent golf carts and portable toilets for use in Bedminster, New Jersey, the home of Trump's private country club. The agreement with Associates Golf Car Service Inc. for golf car rental and transportation services was worth a potential $550,930 and ran through June 2, 2026. The additional cost was for restroom rentals and services, worth up to $80,385, with a three-year renewal option for a potential total of $333,801.
How to Know If You're on a Do-Not-Rent List
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Rep. Adam Schiff claimed the Trump Organization was paid over $150,000 by the Secret Service
Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat and frequent critic of former President Donald Trump's business relationships, claimed in 2018 that the Secret Service paid the Trump Organization "$150,000 ... for the privilege of renting Donald Trump golf carts to protect Donald Trump on his rounds." However, this claim was later proven to be false.
Schiff's claim was based on a 2017 USA Today story that cited research by American Bridge 21st Century PAC, a Democratic opposition research group. The story mentioned that the Secret Service had rented golf carts from two companies: Golf Car & Utility Vehicle Distributors in Florida and Associates Golf Car Service of Poughkeepsie, New York. These companies signed a total of 12 contracts with the Secret Service, totaling $212,975. However, neither of these companies is owned by Trump, and there is no evidence that the Secret Service rented golf carts from any Trump-owned companies.
While it is true that the Secret Service has rented golf carts from companies other than those owned by Trump, the specific claim that the Trump Organization was paid over $150,000 by the Secret Service for golf cart rentals is incorrect. In fact, federal records show that the Secret Service paid Associates Golf Car $95,000 for rentals in 2019 and $118,000 in 2020. The higher amount in 2020 was despite coronavirus social distancing measures and the fact that Trump's golf trips had been put on hold since March 8.
The Secret Service's rental of golf carts from companies other than those owned by Trump is not surprising, as it is standard practice for the agency to rent vehicles when protecting the president. However, it is worth noting that Rep. Schiff has introduced an amendment to prohibit the payment of Secret Service funds to entities owned or operated by the President or their immediate family. This amendment aims to address the strain that the President and his family’s frequent visits to locations owned by the Trump Organization have put on the Secret Service’s budget and manpower.
Stair Lift Rentals: What Are Your Rights as a Renter?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Secret Service rents golf carts from other companies, not Trump companies
In May 2020, it was reported that the Secret Service had signed a contract worth $179,000 to rent golf carts from the New York-based Associates Golf Car Service. The golf carts were to be used at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, which is owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump. This was not the first time the Secret Service had rented golf carts from the same company, having signed contracts worth $95,000 in 2019 and $118,000 in 2018.
However, there is no evidence that the Secret Service rented golf carts directly from Trump companies. Harrell Kirsten of American Bridge stated that the contracts his group found were with other companies, specifically Associates Golf Car Service and Golf Car & Utility Vehicle Distributors. This was confirmed by Patrick Boland, a spokesman for Rep. Adam Schiff, who had earlier claimed that the Secret Service had paid the Trump Organization "$150,000 [...] for the privilege of renting Donald Trump golf carts". Boland clarified that Schiff's remarks were based on a misreading of a USA Today story.
In July 2025, it was reported that the Secret Service was allocating $600,000 to rent golf carts and portable toilets for use in Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump owns a private country club. The agreement with Associates Golf Car Service Inc. was worth a potential $550,930 and ran through June 2, 2026.
Lease Commissions: Factoring in Net Effective Rent
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Secret Service deployed an armoured Polaris Ranger Golf Force One to protect Trump
In 2020, the Secret Service signed a $179,000 contract to rent golf carts at Donald Trump's Bedminster golf course in New Jersey. This contract was signed to protect the President and his family, including his daughter Ivanka, who visited the club in 2020 despite stay-at-home coronavirus orders.
Five years later, in 2025, the Secret Service deployed an armoured Polaris Ranger Golf Force One to protect Trump during his visit to the UK. This visit included a trip to his Trump Turnberry golf course in Scotland, where the Golf Force One made its first public appearance. The vehicle was likely deployed to provide Trump with additional protection while on the golf course.
The Polaris Ranger X is used by the military, law enforcement, and other agencies for off-road transportation. The basic version retails for about $20,000, but Trump's modified version likely cost much more. The vehicle is believed to be bulletproof and armoured, featuring strengthened windows made with layers of laminate and transparent armour. The black band around the windscreen, indentations around the windows, tinted windows, and an armoured panel at the rear are all indications of the vehicle's armouring.
Trump has been the subject of two assassination attempts, including one at his golf course in Florida, and has been threatened by Iran. The deployment of the Golf Force One is a necessary precaution to ensure the President's safety while playing golf, one of his favourite pastimes.
Rent Increases During a Pandemic: What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trump's golf trips have cost taxpayers a small fortune, including $600,000 for golf carts and port-a-potties
Former President Donald Trump's golf trips have cost taxpayers a staggering amount of money, with expenses ranging from transportation and security to golf cart rentals and portable toilets. One notable example is the $600,000 expenditure by the Secret Service for golf carts and port-a-potties at Trump's private country club in Bedminster, New Jersey. This amount includes $550,930 for golf cart rentals from Associates Golf Car Service and up to $80,385 for portable restroom rentals from Restroom Resources LLC.
Trump's golf outings have incurred significant costs for taxpayers throughout his presidency. During his first term alone, Trump's golf habit cost taxpayers a total of $151.5 million, according to the Government Accountability Office. This included expenses for security, transportation on Air Force One, meals, and lodging. Since his second term began in January 2025, his golf expenses have continued to mount, with estimates exceeding $53 million.
The high cost of Trump's golf trips has raised concerns among taxpayers. In addition to the expenses mentioned above, there are other associated costs that contribute to the overall financial burden. For instance, each of Trump's first four trips to Mar-a-Lago during his first term cost approximately $3,383,250. Moreover, there are additional security measures required when Trump plays golf, such as the deployment of police boats with machine guns and Coast Guard vessels for patrol.
Trump's preference for driving his own golf cart during outings has also resulted in additional security measures. The Secret Service introduced an armored Polaris Ranger "Golf Force One" to provide additional protection while Trump is on the golf course. This vehicle was first publicly spotted in July 2025 during Trump's visit to his Turnberry golf course in Scotland.
The financial implications of Trump's golf trips extend beyond the direct costs of rentals and security. There have also been instances where Trump's golf courses have been cited for health violations. The Somerset County Health Department gave the club's kitchens a food safety grade of 32 out of 100 points, raising questions about the management of these facilities.
Rent-to-Own Homes: Understanding the Process in North Carolina
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, the Secret Service rented golf carts from third-party companies, not directly from Trump.
In 2018, the Secret Service paid $923 for golf cart rentals at Trump's Turnberry Resort in Scotland. In 2019, they allocated $95,250 to rent golf carts from Associates Golf Car Service for a six-month period. In 2020, they signed a contract for $179,000 for golf cart rentals at Trump's Bedminster course. In 2025, the Secret Service agreed to pay up to $550,930 for golf cart rentals and transportation services in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The Secret Service rented golf carts from companies such as Associates Golf Car Service, Golf Car & Utility Vehicle Distributors, and Restroom Resources.
The Secret Service agents use golf carts to move around the golf course and ensure the security of the President. They ride several holes ahead of and behind the President to provide protection.
No, in addition to golf carts, the Secret Service also rented portable restrooms to support their operations and provide convenience for the agents onsite.
