DistantNews
Support us
'I'm very good at grass.' Why Trump goes into the weeds on one of his favorite topics
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States /Culture & Society

'I'm very good at grass.' Why Trump goes into the weeds on one of his favorite topics

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • President Donald Trump frequently discusses his expertise in grass, often at the expense of more pressing national issues.
  • He has mentioned grass in at least 45 public events over the past 18 months, more than in his entire first term.
  • Trump attributes his knowledge to owning golf courses and his real estate development background, viewing it as a business necessity.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized his deep knowledge and passion for grass, often dedicating significant portions of his public appearances to the topic. This fascination has become a recurring theme since his return to the White House, sometimes overshadowing discussions on critical matters like foreign policy or the economy.

You see the grass outside, right? Some people would like to leave it. But the problem is, you can't.

โ€” Donald TrumpTrump pointing out the Oval Office window during an interview with The Spectator shortly after his second inauguration.

Over the past 18 months, Trump has mentioned grass in at least 45 public events and interviews, averaging more than once every 12 days. This frequency significantly surpasses the 26 times he mentioned it during his entire four-year first term. His interest spans from the Oval Office lawn to broader landscaping projects.

Grass is like humans. It has a life.

โ€” Donald TrumpTrump speaking at a White House event with military spouses.

Trump connects his expertise to his decades as a New York real estate developer and his personal enjoyment of building and overseeing construction. He also frequently highlights his ownership of numerous golf courses as a primary source of his understanding. "I know a lot about grass because I own a lot of golf courses," he stated, emphasizing its importance for business longevity. He has even declared, "I know more about grass than any human being, I think, anywhere in the world."

I know a lot about grass because I own a lot of golf courses. And, if you don't have good grass, you're not in business very long.

โ€” Donald TrumpTrump speaking while announcing the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors.

His focus on grass has been evident across a wide range of events, from signing executive orders to holiday pardons and international forums. The White House did not respond to questions regarding this recurring topic. Matt Koch, a lawns research fellow for Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, described a recent meeting with Trump as an "amazing dialogue, talking grass for half an hour."

I know more about grass than any human being, I think, anywhere in the world.

โ€” Donald TrumpTrump speaking while visiting park police officers in Washington.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by PBS NewsHour. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.