A viral video capturing former President Donald Trump golfing in Scotland has reignited longstanding allegations of cheating on the course. The footage, originally posted by the left-leaning X (formerly Twitter) account PatriotTakes on July 27, has racked up over 4.5 million views and prompted widespread commentary online.
Trump was spotted playing golf at the Trump Turnberry resort, accompanied by his son Eric Trump and others, according to a media pool report. In the video, Trump drives his golf cart into the rough near a sand trap. A caddie walking ahead of him appears to drop a ball in the grass, which Trump then approaches. The clip ends before he takes a shot, and there is no footage showing the result of his previous swing or confirmation of when the ball was dropped.
History of Golf Controversies
While the context and authenticity of the moment are unclear, the viral moment has fueled fresh accusations that Trump manipulates the game — a theme that’s not new to the former president. In 2019, veteran sportswriter Rick Reilly published a book titled “Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump,” detailing numerous alleged instances of Trump bending or ignoring the rules of golf.
“Trump doesn’t just cheat at golf,” Reilly wrote. “He throws it, boots it, and moves it. He lies about his lies.” Reilly claimed that caddies at Winged Foot Golf Club, where Trump is a member, nicknamed him “Pele” for frequently kicking his ball back onto the fairway. According to the book, Trump reportedly justifies his actions by alleging that others cheat, too.
Trump has often claimed improbable victories in club tournaments, including winning championships without playing the opening round and reporting scores lower than those posted by professional LIV golfers.
White House Responds
In response to USA TODAY’s inquiry, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers dismissed the viral video and the surrounding criticism as a distraction from more important news.
“Instead of covering the news that matters to everyday Americans, the legacy media is peddling a false narrative about the President’s legendary golf game,” Rogers said. She instead pointed to recent diplomatic achievements, including a U.S.–EU trade agreement and a ceasefire agreement involving Thailand and Cambodia.
Purpose of Trump’s Scotland Visit
Trump’s trip to Scotland coincided with a series of high-level trade discussions with leaders from the European Union and the United Kingdom, ahead of the August 1 deadline for finalizing reciprocal tariffs. On July 27, Trump announced a new trade deal with the EU, setting most tariffs at 15%, a compromise between the 30% he had previously proposed and the 10% sought by European officials.
In addition to his political engagements, Trump’s itinerary included visits to his two golf properties in Scotland: Trump Turnberry and Trump International Scotland, the latter of which is preparing to launch a second golf course next month. The resort features tributes to Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, a Scottish immigrant who moved to New York in the 1930s.
This visit is expected to serve as a precursor to a formal state visit later this fall.
