BALMEDIE: Donald Trump has abandoned any qualms he had in his first term about making money on the side while serving as US president, as he unabashedly promotes his business interests.

Inthe latestinstance of him blending diplomacy, pageant and the proht motive, Trump inaugurated another golf course bearing his name in the town of Balmedie as he concluded a five-day visit to Scotland on Tuesday.

The ceremony, which featured bagpipes, fireworks and a Trump campaign song the Village People`s `YMCA` -was broadcast live on the White House YouTube channel.

Trump had led British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a tour of the course on Monday.

And on Tuesday, Trump welcomed Scotland`s leader, First Minister John Swinney, who has ruffled feathers by granting subsidies to hold a golf tournament at the Trump property.

`Deeply troubling` `All of this looks like governments paying, or paying tribute to, Donald Trump`s businesses in apparent attempts to curry favour with him and receive better treatment from him on key policy issues including trade deals,` said Noah Bookbinder, head of an NGO called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Bookbinder called it `deeply troubling` that US diplomacy could beguided by the financial interests of the Trump family.

A White House official denied there was anything awry in Trump`s golf diplomacy stay in Scotland, saying the president`s assets are in a trust managed by his children and there is no conflict of interest.

The 79-year-old president teed off on Tuedsay to play the new golf course with his son Eric, who led the project.

`We wanted this to be the greatest 36 holes anywhere on Earth. And there`s no question that`s been achieved,` said the younger Trump.

A journalist then asked Trump if blurring the line between his official duty as president and trying to make money amounted to a conflict of interest.

`I haven`t heard that, Trump said, immediately changing the subject to his golf game.

`Did you get to see my drive in the first hole? ...

Pretty long, pretty long, Trump said.

Eric and Donald Trump Jr, who was also here for the course inauguration, are both executive vice presidents of the Trump Organisation, a holding company that features a wide range of Trump properties and other assets.

During his stay in Scotland, Trump also received European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at another opulent Trump golf resort in the southwestern Scottish town of Turnberry.-AFP