Trump's Mad Dream of Revamping Alcatraz Would Cost More Than $2 Billion

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: msn/Daily Beast

6h


Donald Trump’s bonkers scheme to return Alcatraz Island to its inglorious past as one of the nation’s most feared prisons could run taxpayers upward of $2 billion.

The president is apparently so hellbent on the made-for-Hollywood plan that on Thursday Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum took a tour to assess the site, which currently attracts 1.6 million tourists a year.

An Axios report quoted two administration officials outlining the costs of three prospective renovation plans. The most expensive option, costing the full $2 billion, would see the island’s existing structures demolished and replaced with a new “supermax” prison complex.

For reference, a price tag of that amount would be equivalent to more than three decades’ worth of the $60 million the site currently brings in annually as a national park and museum, according to data from the National Park Service. Alternatives would include building a lower-security prison occupying only a part of the island, for an estimated $1 billion, or outsourcing the entire project to private contractors, which sources say looks less likely at this point in the discussions.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/trump-s-mad-dream-of-revamping-alcatraz-would-cost-more-than-2-billion/ar-AA1IQZz4

[BOSSHOG]

1. I'm confused.

Why would a convicted felon want to build prisons?

Alcatraz is an awesome hunk of real estate. For Tourism. Toured there years ago. Awesome place chock full of American History while being freaking scary at the same time.

Only a fucking sadistic jerk with other peoples money to spend would even contemplate the idea.

[Karasu]

3. Which is exactly what Trump is. Plus, he's fucking delusional. Based on the interview he gave about this a while back,

Last edited Fri Jul 18, 2025, 08:43 PM - Edit history (1)

it's pretty clear he watched a movie about Alcatraz (quite possibly Escape from Alcatraz) and immediately became obsessed with the idea.

[slightlv]

11. trump is hellbent on killing tourism!

From his $250 visa integrity policy to many Americans crossing entire states off their visitation lists, due to the influence and "hospitality" of magas in those states. trump is an isolationist of the 1st degree.

[Kablooie]

17. Of course. He doesn't want any damn foreigners in his country.

Only dumb as hammers, Amurikunz should be allowed in.

[Karasu]

2. The party of "fiscal responsibility" and "small government" (LMAO) will surely have no problem rubber-stamping this.

[Midwestern Democrat]

18. This is so crazy that I'm pretty sure even they will at least try to slow walk it and hope Trump forgets about it.

It would never get completed during Trump's term and I can't imagine the next president (coming from either party) going ahead with this - any money that is spent on this over the next 3.5 years would essentially be flushed down the toilet.

[Mike 03]

4. Seems like this would ruin Fisherman's Wharf as a tourist destination. I've not been to SF

in more than 20 years, but my recollection is you can see Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf, and it's only "charming" to the extent it has not been used in ages. If people were conscious of the fact inmates were being held here (undoubtedly in awful conditions), I don't think people would want to see it, I don't think they'd want it in he background of their Wharf photos, I don't think they'll want to go shopping and eat shrimp cocktails gazing out at a place where murderers and rapists are being held. I would be amazed if there weren't a lot of lawsuits by owners of recreational, entertainment and food establishments all along that coastal area.

It would also kill the helicopter tours (I think if they still do them), as that would now be a security risk and Alcatraz would be seen in a totally different light.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. I was in San Francisco around the end of February 2003

and went down to Fisherman's Wharf and I think there were tulip beds around there so I was admiring that since the flowers were all in bloom (and I was glad to get away from the 8" of snow back in Philly that I had left at the time ).

I don't remember actually making a point to even look for Alcatraz (except maybe as an afterthought), I guess because the "distractions" were the dozens and dozens of sea lions lounging around by the water and honking up a storm!

[DonCoquixote]

14. not a big, but A FEATURE

keep in mind, the fact that Cailfornia brings in much more business than most Trump states is somethign Trump wants to destroy.

[NBachers]

19. As a local who often has different views of Alcatraz, I can assure you it's a common focal point for everyone.

As with everything he touches, Mango Mussolini would change it from a focal point to a fecal point.

[dedl67]

5. Mad Kings do mad things

King Ludwig II of Bavaria built Neuschwanstein. King Donald wants to build New Alcatraz. King Ludwig came to a bad end not too long after. King Donald might want to reconsider.

[Harker]

7. I'll lend Trumpsky a pick and a shovel if he wants to get started immediately.

[Evolve Dammit]

8. Well, they have plenty of billions now. What would stop it?

[wiggs]

9. Loves to stick it to CA and to SF. nt

[twodogsbarking]

10. Construction of the detention camps on the moon is slated to start August 1st.

Trump Airlines will provide the shuttle service. Open cockpit for immigrants or democrats.

[tonekat]

12. True Justice would be...

To ultimately put trump, his advisers and cabinet in there, donors too, all the J6 asswipes, and let tourists gawk at them fighting rats for prison grade food.

[BOSSHOG]

13. Turn the White House into a prison

The inmates are already there.

[MIButterfly]

15. Two billion dollars to turn Alcatraz back into a prison?

Well, it's certainly worth taking health care away from people who need it and food out of the mouths of poor children for that.

Do I really need to add the thing?

[Kablooie]

16. I read that it was shut down because it was too expensive to maintain.

All the supplies, food and water had to be delivered by a special boat every day.

[elliesmandt]

20. Use the money

Here's a thought. If Trump wants to revitalize Alcatraz, let him use a portion of the money he gets from suing Rupert Murdock. He'll still have a tidy sum let over to finance his other idiotic ideas!