Chlorine kills fish, and that basic fact sits at the center of a new controversy at one of Trump’s golf properties.
Video posted Thursday by the X account PatriotTakes shows staff at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, releasing small pet-store fish into a shallow wading pool over Labor Day weekend. Children scooped at them with plastic cups while parents watched nearby. “At Trump’s Virginia golf club, small fish were dumped into the swimming pool so kids could try to catch them,” the account wrote.
At Trump’s Virginia golf club, small fish were dumped into the swimming pool so kids could try to catch them. https://t.co/JbpvqcGxgT
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 17, 2026
A second clip from the same source shows Trump walking through the same crowded pool area, with two men carrying large bags just ahead of him. The club markets its wading pool on its own website as a family amenity for younger members.
This occurred during Labor Day weekend.
Another video posted by the same guest at the time shows Trump entering the crowded pool area, suggesting he was on hand for the bizarre kids fish-catching pool event.
Two men can be seen carrying large bags ahead of Trump. https://t.co/RMreTrSHkR
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 18, 2026
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The chemistry behind the outrage isn’t up for debate. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, chlorine is highly toxic to fish even in small amounts, with death possible at higher concentrations.
One X user described what actually happens to the fish: “The chlorine causes the fish to suffocate while also burning them alive.”
@mindys4biden No pets either and then on Labor Day Day 2026 at Trump’s Virginia golf club, small fish were dumped into the swimming pool so the children could catch them. He poses, smiling as the chlorine causes the fish to suffocate while also burning them alive. What a tool 🔨
— WillaLane@LavenderFields (@WillaLaneLaven1) September 19, 2026
Reaction filled up fast underneath the footage.
@LucasSa56947288 Gross and cruel. All those fish will die in pain.
— Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) September 17, 2026
You have to be a sick fuck to dump fish into a chemically treated pool for entertainment.
— Amy Lynn🐇💀 (@AmyLynnStL) September 17, 2026
I’ve seen this with plastic rubber ducks – no fish get harmed, the kids get to keep the rubber duckie and everyone has a great time. There’s no reason to do this with live fish.
— Decoding Fox News (@DecodingFoxNews) September 17, 2026
@dmarie272009 @patriottakes @mayflower862 I can’t even fathom who would imagine this would be a good idea. Or even imagine this idea. It’s cruel on so many levels.
— Banana Boat (@TheAnybanany) September 20, 2026
According to a statement PETA gave the Daily Beast, the organization couldn’t confirm exactly where the footage was filmed, but said the conduct shown was troubling regardless.
“If it is authentic, no fish should be subjected to being harassed, chased, grabbed, fought over, or potentially stepped on by excited children who may not mean to hurt them,” the statement read. PETA added, “Fish are sentient animals who feel pain, fear, and stress, and children should be taught empathy for animals, and not encouraged to treat living, feeling beings as toys or prizes.” The group said it remains ready to help care for any fish that survived.
Trump’s golf properties have run into health-related trouble before this year, separate from the pool video. According to Forbes, health inspectors cited his Bedminster, New Jersey club for 18 violations in a single inspection, nine of them critical.
Featured image via X screengrab
