Former US president Donald Trump announced on 5/9 that the 2026 G20 summit will be held at his Trump National Doral golf resort in Miami, Florida, in December 2026. This will be the first time the US has hosted the G20 summit in almost 20 years, coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary.
"Everyone wants to be there because it's right next to the airport. It's a good location, beautiful, everything is perfect," he said.
The former president stated he will not charge a hosting fee for the event. "We're doing a no-money deal. I just want it to be good," Trump emphasized.
He added that another reason for choosing Doral was the limited hotel availability in Miami during December. "Each delegation will have its own cottage at the golf club. I think it will be really great," he said.
Trump expressed his desire to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami. He added that he would also welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"I'd love them to come if they want," he said, adding that Russia and China would attend as "observers, and I'm not sure if they want to come as observers."
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Former US President Donald Trump at the White House on 5/9. Photo: AFP |
Former US President Donald Trump at the White House on 5/9. Photo: AFP
Both Russia and China are G20 members. It remains unclear why Trump suggested they would attend as observers.
Xi's most recent visit to the US was in 2023, during Joe Biden's presidency. The Chinese president was also hosted at Mar-a-Lago during Trump's first term.
The former president confirmed he will not attend this year's G20 summit in South Africa, sending Vice President JD Vance in his place. Trump had previously indicated he might not attend the summit, citing allegations of white people being "oppressed and killed" in the country. South Africa has denied these allegations.
Trump owns two resorts in Florida: Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach and Trump National Doral in Miami. He purchased the Doral resort, which includes 4 golf courses, in 2012 for $150 million.
He had planned to host the 2020 G7 summit at Doral during his first term, but faced criticism from Democrats. He also wanted Putin to attend that event, even though Russia had been expelled from the G7 following the annexation of Crimea. Trump later canceled the plan, and the summit ultimately didn't take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Huyen Le (AFP, Telegraph)
