Trump leverages conservation easements on golf courses to slash tax liability

Forbes and other sources report that Donald Trump employed conservation easements on several of his golf holdings, most notably the Trump National Golf Course in Jupiter, Florida, to generate tax deductions that could total $825 million. The easement treats the land as a protected environmental site, restricting future development and allowing a sizable reduction in taxable income. Comparable deductions were secured for his Bedminster country club ($39 million) and the Blue Monster course at Trump National Doral ($120 million).

Critics question whether the properties truly qualify as conservation projects and whether the appraised development values are inflated. In December 2025, the Trump Organization donated an easement, then sued the IRS, leading to a settlement that reportedly bars audits of Trump and his children. Attorney General Todd Blanche has denied the existence of a $1.8 billion slush fund, but a judge noted substantial payouts from a Justice Department fund. The revelations come amid reports of Trump earning $1.4 billion from a cryptocurrency meme coin and over $200 million from real estate in 2025, suggesting a projected tax liability exceeding $500 million.