Before stepping into politics, Donald Trump was known for his vast business ventures, from real estate to golf courses.
However, one lesser-known chapter of his past involves a reported interest in purchasing Scottish football club Rangers.
Back in 2012, when the club faced financial turmoil, Trump was said to have seriously considered stepping in.
But after evaluating the situation, he ultimately decided to walk away.
Rangers’ Financial Crisis in 2012
Rangers, one of Scotland’s most storied football clubs, found themselves in dire financial straits in 2012.
Mounting debts forced the club into administration, leading to its liquidation.
As a result, the club had to start over from the third tier of Scottish football—a dramatic fall from grace for a team with such a rich history.
Trump’s Consideration and Decision to Back Out
During this period of uncertainty, reports emerged that Trump had taken a “serious look” at buying the club.
A source close to Trump later confirmed, “We looked seriously and walked away.
It just did not make sense to us, although they are a great club.
We hope someone steps in and builds the team again.”
Despite his reputation for taking on ambitious projects, the financial instability of Rangers appeared to be a risk he wasn’t willing to take.
Trump’s Scottish Business Interests
While Trump opted against investing in Rangers, his business interests in Scotland were still growing.
His organization had already expressed a long-term commitment to the country, with investments in various ventures, particularly in the golf industry.
In 2012, the same year Rangers went into administration, he was in the process of opening Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen.
Two years later, he acquired the famous Turnberry golf resort for £46 million and rebranded it as “Trump Turnberry,” carrying out extensive renovations to restore its prestige.
Past Interest in Football Ownership
This wasn’t the first time Trump had been linked to sports investments.
In 2010, he had acknowledged that people had approached him about getting involved in football, stating, “Stranger things have happened… People have spoken to me about it, so we will see.”
His only previous venture into the sports world was owning the New Jersey Generals, an American football team in the now-defunct United States Football League (USFL) during the 1980s.
Rangers Legend Ally McCoist Reacts
Former Rangers manager Ally McCoist later confirmed he had heard rumors about Trump’s potential involvement.
Reflecting on the speculation, McCoist told FourFourTwo, “I was aware of the rumors… I think my first sit-down board meeting would have been interesting.”
While McCoist acknowledged that Trump’s politics could spark debate, he admitted that Trump had a proven ability to run successful golf courses in Scotland, calling his developments “nothing short of magnificent.”
Trump’s Continued Connection to Sports
Although Trump never became involved with Rangers, his connection to the sports world continued.
Years later, as U.S. President, he met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as preparations ramped up for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
He also signed an executive order on security for the tournament, further cementing his involvement in global sports affairs.
What Could Have Been?
Trump’s reported interest in Rangers remains an intriguing “what if” scenario in football history.
Would his ownership have changed the club’s fate?
Would he have replicated his golf success in the football world?
While we’ll never know, one thing is certain—his name remains linked to some of the biggest stories in sports, whether through investment, ownership, or politics.