In early March 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland became the target of significant vandalism by activists protesting his controversial statements regarding Gaza. The incident involved extensive damage to the property, including red paint sprayed on the clubhouse and the phrase “Gaza is not 4 sale” painted on the course’s lawn. Financial Times+14The Independent+14The Guardian+14
Details of the Vandalism
On March 8, 2025, around 4:40 a.m., Police Scotland responded to reports of vandalism at the Turnberry resort. Officers discovered that the clubhouse had been defaced with red paint, and sections of the golf course, notably the greens, had been dug up. The activists left messages, including “Gaza is not 4 sale,” prominently displayed on the property. Tyla+4Yahoo+4indy100+4Tyla
The group Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the vandalism, stating that their actions were a direct response to Trump’s suggestions that the U.S. could “take over” Gaza and transform it into a luxury destination. They condemned these remarks as indicative of colonial ambitions and expressed their opposition through the damage inflicted on the resort. The London Economic+7The Spun+7The Guardian+7
Donald Trump’s Response
Donald Trump reacted strongly to the incident, labeling the perpetrators as “terrorists” and calling for their severe punishment. He expressed gratitude towards UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and UK law enforcement for their prompt response to the situation. Trump emphasized the need for stringent measures against such acts to prevent future occurrences. The GuardianYahoo+2Financial Times+2The Guardian+2
Legal Proceedings and Arrests
Following the vandalism, Police Scotland arrested three individuals in connection with the incident: a 33-year-old man named Kieran Robson, who was charged with malicious mischief and appeared in Ayr Sheriff Court, and two others—a 75-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman—who were released pending further inquiries. Despite Trump’s assertion that the individuals were imprisoned, only Robson faced formal charges at that time. Total Pro Sports+5The Guardian+5Tyla+5
Impact on Turnberry Resort
The vandalism led to operational disruptions at the Turnberry resort. The reopening of the renowned Ailsa Course, initially scheduled for May 1, 2025, was delayed until June to address the damages. This postponement had economic implications, given the course’s significance and the high fees charged for tee times. GolfDigest.com+9The Sun+9The Guardian+9The Guardian
Broader Context
This incident occurred amid heightened tensions following Trump’s controversial proposals regarding Gaza, including suggestions of transforming the area into a luxury destination, which were met with international criticism. The vandalism at Turnberry highlighted the global reach of political activism and the tangible repercussions of political statements on private properties. The Guardian+1The London Economic+1
In summary, the vandalism at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort underscored the intersection of political discourse and activism, leading to significant property damage, legal actions, and operational setbacks for the resort.
