U.S. President Donald Trump has as soon as once more been accused of disregarding the principles of golf, following the discharge of footage from a latest outing at his Turnberry resort in Scotland.
The movies, which circulated extensively on social media, seem to point out Trump receiving help from a caddie who drops a ball in a extra favorable place previous to Trump taking a shot.
Donald Trump’s golf caddies caught dishonest to assist him after ball lands in robust spot
Within the footage, Trump arrives in a golf cart close to a bunker, with tough terrain close by. As he approaches, a caddie is seen bending down and inserting a ball on the bottom in entrance of him.
Trump then exits the cart with a membership and walks towards the newly positioned ball. The clip ends earlier than he takes his shot. A separate video from the identical outing captures Trump trying a chip shot from the tough, which lands in a bunker.
He subsequently performs the ball onto the inexperienced. After an preliminary missed putt, Trump makes an attempt a second, which additionally fails to achieve the opening. Somewhat than finishing the opening, he picks up his ball, ending the sequence.
Allegations with previous habits
This isn’t the primary time Trump has confronted scrutiny for his conduct on the golf course. Sportswriter Rick Reilly, in his 2019 e-book Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump, documented quite a few claims from caddies and fellow golfers who accused Trump of frequent rule violations.
In response to Reilly, Trump’s habits included shifting his ball, claiming unearned strokes, and interfering with different gamers’ pictures. Caddies at Winged Foot Golf Membership reportedly nicknamed him “Pele” resulting from his tendency to kick the ball into higher positions.
Public figures have additionally made related accusations. Actor Samuel L. Jackson beforehand alleged that Trump cheated throughout a spherical they performed collectively. Actor Anthony Anderson made a comparable declare in 2016.
The newest footage has reignited public debate. On-line commentators have criticized Trump for what they interpret as clear violations of golf etiquette and integrity. Some described the caddie’s actions as deliberate ball placement in violation of the principles, and mocked Trump for avoiding finishing holes after poor performances.
MAGA followers bounce to his protection
Defenders of Trump, nonetheless, have instructed that the ball drop may have been a part of a authentic provisional play, comparable to after a misplaced ball or an unplayable lie.
Others pointed to his previous performances, arguing that he has demonstrated authentic ability on the course and sometimes receives “gimme” putts to hurry up play.
Throughout the identical weekend, Trump met with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Turnberry. Trump cited the state of affairs in Gaza as a serious subject of dialogue.
He additionally expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin and addressed hypothesis concerning Jeffrey Epstein, stating he had by no means visited Epstein’s island and had no explicit curiosity within the associated recordsdata.
Whereas {the golfing} incident might seem minor, it has as soon as once more drawn consideration to Trump’s long-documented historical past with the game and added to broader issues about his strategy to guidelines and accountability.
