Supporters, critics line up to express themselves as Trump arrives in Rancho Palos Verdes

Dozens of protesters and boosters alike lined up in front of the Trump National Golf Club on Tuesday afternoon, hours before President Donald Trump arrived at his Rancho Palos Verdes golf resort in on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

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San Pedro resident Yvonne Sharp, wearing a bedazzled American flag hat alongside other Trump supporters, hoped to get a glimpse of the president arrive for a brief California visit to attend a Republican National Committee roundtable and reception.

By the time the president landed at the golf course aboard Marine One at around 5 p.m., there were about 60 protestors and 20 supporters outside the venue. Attendees came from Rancho Palos Verdes as well as various nearby cities including San Pedro, Hawthorne, Long Beach and Rolling Hills Estates. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies and federal agents kept watch on the scene.

While the majority of the gathering remained peaceful, there were a few moments where supporters and protesters exchanged heated words.

“I love my president, and I’m going to support him in any way I can,” Sharp said. “Even if he doesn’t talk to me, I still love him.”

With American flag apparel and MAGA hats supporters chanted, “We love Trump,” and “U.S.A.”

On the other side: “Sooner we’re done with him, the better, as far as I’m concerned,” said San Pedro resident Joe Deeble, meanwhile, holding up a Ukrainian flag.

“I’m not a big fan, as you can tell,” Deeble said about Trump. “We get an opportunity to exercise our freedom to protest.”

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Anti-Trump demonstrators hoisted signs bearing such slogans as “Democracy over Dictator,” “Protect our vote,” and “No War.”

“I really want to show up to let him know that he’s not welcome here,” San Pedro resident Crystal Shishido, “and what he’s doing right now is just unacceptable.”

Sharp disagreed, declaring Trump “true,” and that he is trying to save the country. She added that it was a “great thing” that he was visiting California.

All the residents appeared to agree on one point made by Deeble, who said that arriving in person was the a great way to let Trump know how people feel.

Trump last visited the Trump National Golf Club in 2024, when he was then-former President Trump, campaigning against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.  Trump’s last official visit to California was in January 2025, when he toured areas devastated by the Palisades fire and held a roundtable discussion with local elected officials, including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

Trump’s ties to Rancho Palos Verdes date back more than two decades.

He purchased the Ocean Trails Golf Course, a 261-acre property, in 2002 and subsequently renamed it for himself. Trump paid $27 million in November 2002 for the course and adjacent land to be used for luxury housing.

Ocean Trails Drive was also renamed as Trump National Drive, after years-long battle with city leaders, in 2012.

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