Trump Cheating at Golf: Understanding the Recent Controversies -

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Donald Trump faces repeated accusations of cheating at golf.
A recent viral video from his 2025 Scotland trip shows a caddie allegedly dropping a ball to improve his lie.
Sports writer Rick Reilly coined the term “Commander-in-Cheat” and has openly accused Trump.
Other footage from the same trip reportedly shows Trump adjusting his ball on the green.
These claims highlight scrutiny of public figures and recreational activities.

Donald Trump has faced multiple accusations of cheating at golf, a topic that has recently gained renewed attention due to a viral video from his 2025 trip to Scotland. These ongoing claims and the discussions they spark highlight the scrutiny surrounding public figures and their recreational activities.

What Are the Latest Accusations Against Donald Trump?

The most recent wave of allegations stems from a viral video taken during Donald Trump’s 2025 visit to his Turnberry golf course in Scotland. The footage, widely shared on social media, shows what appears to be one of his caddies discreetly dropping a golf ball onto the fairway ahead of Trump. Many observers interpreted this action as an attempt to give Trump a better “lie“—the position of a golf ball on the ground—before he took his shot, which is against standard golf rules.

During this trip, Trump was reportedly playing 18 holes with his son Eric Trump and US Ambassador Warren Stephens amidst trade talks in Scotland. In addition to the caddie incident, further footage from the same trip surfaced, allegedly showing Trump himself adjusting his ball on the green, further fueling questions about adherence to golf’s strict rules.

Summary: The core of the recent controversy involves a caddie allegedly improving Trump’s ball lie and Trump potentially adjusting his ball on the green, both actions that violate golf’s rules.

Who Has Accused Trump of Cheating at Golf?

The accusations against Donald Trump regarding his golf etiquette are not new and extend beyond recent viral videos. A prominent accuser is sports writer Rick Reilly. In his 2019 book, Reilly popularized the nickname “Commander-in-Cheat” for Trump. Reilly has openly described Trump as the “worst cheat” he has ever witnessed in golf.

Beyond specific individuals, the numerous viral videos and social media discussions contribute to widespread public debate and interpretation of the incidents as cheating.

Why Do These Accusations Keep Surfacing?

The recurring nature of these accusations can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the existence of multiple viral videos depicting alleged rule violations provides visual evidence that fuels public discussion. The digital age allows such footage to be widely shared and scrutinized, often leading to rapid online debate and commentary.

Secondly, sports writers and observers have publicly documented instances of alleged cheating, creating a long-standing narrative around Trump’s golfing habits. This historical context means that new incidents are often viewed through the lens of past allegations.

Lastly, there’s a contrast between Trump’s own public boasts about his golfing prowess and the controversies surrounding his play. While supporters often dismiss the accusations as harmless or misunderstandings, the consistent nature of the videos and commentary from multiple observers keeps his golfing honesty under scrutiny.

What Do Golf Rules Say About Moving a Ball?

Golf is a sport built on integrity and strict adherence to rules, designed to ensure fair play and consistency. The rules governing a player’s interaction with their ball are very clear.

Key Golf Rules:

Playing the Ball as It Lies: Generally, a golf ball must be played from where it comes to rest. Improving the lie of the ball—by moving it, pressing down grass, or smoothing sand/soil around it—is typically against the rules unless explicitly permitted by a specific rule (e.g., taking relief from an abnormal course condition).
Moving a Ball in Play: A player is prohibited from moving their ball in play or causing it to move, except as allowed by the Rules. If a player or their caddie moves the ball in violation of the rules, penalties typically apply, ranging from one penalty stroke to disqualification, depending on the circumstances and the type of competition.
On the Green: While players are permitted to mark, lift, and clean their ball on the putting green, they must replace it exactly on its original spot. Adjusting its position to gain an advantage is not allowed.

These rules are fundamental to the game’s fairness, and violations, especially intentional ones, are considered serious breaches of golf etiquette and sportsmanship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What are the main allegations against Donald Trump regarding golf?

A1: The primary allegations center on accusations that Donald Trump or his caddies have improperly moved his golf ball to gain an unfair advantage, such as improving its lie on the fairway or adjusting its position on the green, which is against the rules of golf (source).

Q2: Is there recent video evidence supporting these claims?

A2: Yes, a viral video from Trump’s 2025 trip to his Turnberry golf course in Scotland appears to show a caddie dropping a ball for him, seemingly to give him a better lie (source). Additional footage from the same trip also reportedly shows Trump adjusting his ball on the green (source).

Q3: Who is Rick Reilly, and what has he said about Trump’s golf?

A3: Rick Reilly is a well-known sports writer who gained attention for popularizing the nickname “Commander-in-Cheat” for Donald Trump. He has publicly stated that Trump is the “worst cheat” he has ever witnessed in golf (source).

Q4: Do Trump’s supporters address these accusations?

A4: Supporters often dismiss these accusations, viewing them as harmless actions, misunderstandings of the rules, or politically motivated criticisms rather than intentional cheating (source).

Q5: Why do these claims about Trump cheating at golf continue to be a topic of discussion?

A5: The claims persist due to the repeated emergence of videos and public commentary from various observers, coupled with the contrast between his public image as a golfer and these recurring controversies (source).

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