President Donald Trump announced on Friday, September 5, that he will host the 2026 G20 summit at his Trump National Doral resort in Miami, Florida. This decision comes despite previous criticism during his first term over similar plans that raised allegations of corruption.
Trump, now 79 years old, expressed his belief that Doral is the perfect venue for the summit scheduled for December next year, citing its beauty and favorable Florida weather. “It’s going to be at Doral,” he stated during a briefing in the Oval Office. “Everybody wants it there because it’s right next to the airport, it’s the best location, it’s beautiful, a beautiful everything.”
Despite concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest, Trump emphasized that he will not profit from the G20 event. “We will not make any money on it. We’re doing a deal where it’s not going to be money, there’s no money in it. I just want it to go well,” he assured reporters.
Another factor influencing the choice of Doral, according to Trump, is the high demand for hotel accommodations in Miami during the December period. “Each country will have its own building. I think it will be really a beautiful thing,” he added, highlighting the logistical advantages of the resort.
Having made Florida his primary residence, Trump has long been associated with the state, particularly through properties like Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach and the Doral resort near Miami. Previously, he attempted to host the 2020 G7 summit at Doral, a move that was met with fierce backlash from Democrats and raised questions regarding ethics. Following significant public outcry, Trump abandoned the plan, attributing it to what he called “media and Democrat crazed and irrational hostility.” Ultimately, the G7 summit he intended to host never occurred due to the onset of the Covid pandemic.
Regarding international relations, Trump shared that he is open to inviting both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping to the G20 summit. Although Russia and China are members of the G20, Trump noted that their participation would likely be as observers. “I would love them to, if they want to,” he commented, acknowledging the complex diplomatic contexts for both nations.
Trump’s administration has faced scrutiny for its handling of foreign policy, particularly with Russia, following its suspension from the G7 over the annexation of Crimea. In contrast to his previous stance, Trump indicated a willingness to accommodate certain nations at the G20, observing their potential roles during the conference.
In the meantime, Trump confirmed that he will skip this year’s G20 in South Africa, entrusting Vice President JD Vance to attend in his place. He had previously expressed skepticism about attending, making claims regarding the treatment of white citizens in South Africa that have been widely debunked.
“I won’t be going, JD will be going. Great vice president, and he looks forward to it,” Trump stated, underscoring the evolving role of his administration in international forums.
As the date approaches for the G20 summit in Miami, the political implications of Trump’s choices will likely remain a focal point, as will his previous challenges regarding ethics and international leadership.
image source from：lemonde
