President Trump’s security detail has introduced what looks like an exceptionally armored golf cart, about ten months after a troubling incident. He believed a rifle might make him an assassin at his West Palm Beach resort.
Recently, while Trump was golfing at the Trump Turnberry Course in South Ayrshire, Scotland, an imposing black vehicle, reminiscent of a military-grade model, accompanied him. Many are calling it the “beast.”
Trump opted for a standard white golf cart during his game, but the noticeable bulk of this new security vehicle—a modification perhaps based on a Polaris Ranger XP—was hard to miss.
“The front windshield looks like armor,” noted Gary Relff, who specializes in armored vehicles. He mentioned to a news outlet that it’s tricky to pinpoint exactly what’s reinforced, but the dark windshield hints at robust protective measures beneath.
“From the pictures, it’s clearly armored,” he continued. “The windshield, side panels, and even the rear sections are substantial.” He suggested that the vehicle seems designed for protection rather than aggression, as evidenced by the tinted windows which likely incorporate transparent armor.
The introduction of this armored cart comes in the wake of an assassination attempt last September at one of Trump’s golf courses in Florida. The suspect, Ryan Routh, attempted to position himself with a semi-automatic rifle as Trump played near the fifth hole. Authorities located Routh concealed in heavy brush about 400 yards away, but he abandoned his weapon and fled upon detection.
Routh was apprehended shortly after during a traffic stop and faced charges for the attempted assassination. Just two months prior to this, another incident occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Thomas Matthew Crooks fired on Trump with an AR-style rifle, injuring innocent bystanders and resulting in a tragic death.
The gradual enhancements to Trump’s security measures, especially on the golf course, are not surprising, given the threats he has faced recently. A Secretary Service representative has yet to confirm or deny specific details about the cart.
