Footage appearing to document President Donald Trump cheating during a recent golf round has gone viral, intensifying longstanding skepticism about the legitimacy of his tournament wins at properties bearing his name. The damning video allegedly captures Trump bending the rules to his advantage on the course.
On Aug. 2, 2026, the president took to Truth Social to announce his victory at the Bedminster Club Championship in New Jersey, claiming a 70 to win both the Senior and Super Senior divisions. At 80 years old, Trump insisted his triumph resulted from raw talent rather than practice, particularly given what he described as minimal time to work on his game due to other responsibilities. He dismissed his competitors as lacking the ability that he possesses.
Video he posted showed a chip shot landing softly on the green before rolling close to the pin. His Bedminster layout has a par of 72, which would make the reported 70 a score of 2 under. A voice on the recording congratulated him for winning both divisions with that number, and the person behind the camera called the moment amazing.
Footage Fuels Fresh Doubts
Internet users quickly dissected the clip, with many questioning whether the ball’s movement appeared genuine. Some floated theories ranging from remote-controlled equipment to a strategically placed foot nudging the ball into better position. Others pointed out the ball never actually fell into the hole, consistent with Trump’s well-documented preference for giving himself putts when they sit close enough. One critic argued that his swing mechanics couldn’t possibly generate a 70 without assistance from forward tees.
On X, MeidasTouch shared the footage with commentary: “So weird that he only wins at his own courses.” Responding on the same platform, former Illinois GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger weighed in more tersely, writing: “what a baby.”
Trump has now claimed what was described as his 43rd club championship. He previously boasted of accumulating more than 20 such titles, and in a 2013 dig at businessman Mark Cuban, declared he had captured 18 of them.
A Long Pattern of Accusations
The president’s conduct on the fairways has generated controversy for years. Sportswriter Rick Reilly chronicled the behavior in his New York Times bestselling book “Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump,” which compiled numerous instances of alleged rule-bending. One episode involved a ball struck into a pond in Los Angeles that somehow reappeared back in play, with Trump claiming tidal action was responsible.
Caddies at Winged Foot, where he maintains membership, reportedly nicknamed him “Pele” after witnessing repeated use of his foot to reposition the ball. Bryan Marsal said Trump admitted to him outright that he cheats and assumes everyone else does too. In another incident covered by Golf.com, Trump’s caddie incorrectly claimed a ball on the putting surface belonged to Trump instead of to businessman Ted Virtue’s son, despite witnesses contradicting the assertion.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close ally and regular playing companion before his death, appeared to acknowledge the issue while testifying under oath. Graham indicated that although other golfers might outdrive Trump, his cart seemed to cover ground between shots with unusual speed.
The Neutral-Course Test
The strongest evidence countering Trump’s claims about his golfing prowess comes from the 2006 American Century celebrity tournament in Tahoe, a rare appearance at a venue he didn’t own. Across three rounds he finished 52 over par and placed 62nd among 80 celebrity participants. That result has been widely circulated by critics as an accurate reflection of his abilities.
Previous self-declared victories have drawn scrutiny as well. In January 2025, Trump National West Palm Beach members showed up for the final round of their Senior Club Championship only to discover his name leading the standings despite having skipped the opening round. He substituted a score from a round played earlier that week for the missed session, then celebrated the win on social media as a great honor.
His relationship with professional golf has seen friction. The PGA Tour moved a major event away from Trump National Doral, relocating it to Mexico City in 2016 following sponsor Cadillac’s withdrawal, and the PGA of America shifted the 2022 PGA Championship from Bedminster to Southern Hills in Tulsa four days following the Capitol riot. Trump’s portfolio includes 18 courses around the world, with 12 in the United States and three in Florida. Victories at those facilities continue to accumulate alongside the skepticism they generate.
