September 5, 2025

Bessent named to steer G20 agenda as Trump proposes Doral site

Bessent turns world economic summit into corporate deregulation festival

📜Constitutional Law🌍Foreign Policy🔐Ethics

President Donald Trump announced on Sep. 5, 2025, that he intends to host the 2026 G20 summit at Trump National Doral Miami.

A White House official said Doral would bill attendees 'at-cost' for services provided during the summit.

Trump National Doral is owned by the Trump Organization; the property was purchased by Mr. Trump in 2012 for about $150 million.

Legal scholars and critics said the plan could trigger Foreign Emoluments Clause concerns; the White House disputed that characterization.

📜Constitutional Law🌍Foreign Policy🔐Ethics

Test Your Knowledge

Trump claims his Doral resort will make 'no profit' from hosting world leaders. What does this promise actually mean?

What economic leverage does Bessent wield when he pitches deregulation to world leaders at Trump's personal property?

Why did Trump abandon his 2020 plan to host the G7 at Doral?

When Bessent promises to 'unlock affordable energy' at the G20, which corporate donors win big?

True or False: Congress must give explicit approval before the president can accept payments from foreign governments.

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People, bills, and sources

Donald Trump

President of the United States

Scott Bessent

Secretary of the Treasury

Trump Organization / Trump National Doral Miami

Private company / event venue

White House official

Administration spokesman

What you can do

civic action

Request records and oversight review

Citizens can request White House and Treasury records on contracts and invoices for event services under FOIA and contact oversight offices to track payments and compliance.

USOGE@oge.gov

Subject: FOIA Request - G20 Summit Contracts and Ethics Compliance Records

Dear OGE FOIA Officer,

I am submitting a Freedom of Information Act request for records related to the 2026 G20 summit at Trump National Doral Miami.

Key facts:

On Sept. 5, 2025, President Trump announced the U.S. will host the 2026 G20 summit at Trump National Doral Miami
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was named to help oversee the summit agenda
A White House official said Doral would bill attendees "at-cost" for services
Doral is owned by the Trump Organization
Critics warned this raises Foreign Emoluments Clause concerns because foreign governments would pay a Trump-owned venue

Records requested:

White House and Treasury records on contracts and invoices for event services
Records of payments from foreign governments to Trump National Doral
Ethics compliance reviews and determinations related to the G20 venue selection
Documentation of "at-cost" billing arrangements

Impact: When foreign governments pay a president's business, it raises serious ethics and constitutional concerns. The Foreign Emoluments Clause prohibits federal officials from accepting payments from foreign governments. Transparency is essential to ensure compliance with ethics laws.

My request: I request these records under FOIA to ensure transparency and accountability. Please provide all responsive records related to contracts, payments, and ethics compliance for the G20 summit venue selection.

You can submit FOIA requests to USOGE@oge.gov or call (202) 482-9300 for assistance.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address]

learning more

Follow legal challenges

Watch court filings and law firm analyses for litigation over the Foreign Emoluments Clause and standing issues beginning after any payments are made.