Trump Golf Cheating Accusations Resurface in Viral Video

A grainy video clip filmed on a British golf course has reignited persistent accusations that former President Donald Trump cheats at the sport he loves. The footage, widely shared over the weekend of July 27th, 2025, shows Trump driving a golf cart across the green at his Turnberry resort in Scotland. As two caddies walk alongside, one appears to casually toss a golf ball behind him onto the turf. Trump then approaches the spot with his club, giving the distinct impression the ball was conveniently placed rather than played from its original lie after a previous shot (The Guardian, July 27, 2025).

The Viral Video and Immediate Backlash

The clip, originating from social media user Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski), quickly went viral, amassing millions of views. Filipkowski captioned it: “Amazing how Trump’s ball he hit into the deep rough just magically pops out of his caddie’s pocket and they all just play it off like Trump just hit it there. 29 time Club Champion!” (Twitter, July 27, 2025). Critics seized on the footage as blatant evidence of dishonesty during a casual round. While the full context of the game or preceding shots isn’t visible, the optics fueled immediate controversy. Defenders argued the video was misleading or that casual rounds don’t require strict adherence to rules, but the incident tapped into a long-established narrative surrounding Trump’s golfing habits.

A Pattern of Accusations and the “Commander in Cheat” Legacy

This is far from the first time Trump’s on-course integrity has been questioned. Allegations of mulligan abuse, improving lies, dubious scorekeeping, and pressuring playing partners have trailed him for decades, documented by numerous journalists and playing partners. The accusations became so prevalent they inspired sportswriter Rick Reilly’s 2019 book, Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump. Reilly meticulously chronicled instances of alleged cheating, concluding Trump “cannot lose. He has to win and he will do anything to cheat” (Reilly, Commander in Cheat, Hachette Books, 2019).

Speaking to MSNBC’s Deadline White House following the latest video, Reilly reiterated his stance: “I’ve always said golf is like bicycle shorts. It reveals a lot about a guy. And what it reveals about this guy is that he cannot lose. He has to win and he will do anything to cheat” (MSNBC, July 28, 2025). Trump has frequently boasted about his golf prowess, claiming numerous club championship wins – often at courses he owns – though verifiable evidence of these victories in sanctioned competitions is scarce (Washington Post, January 2017).

Beyond the Green: Character and Credibility

For many observers, the latest Trump golf cheating incident transcends the sport itself. Critics see it as a microcosm of a broader pattern of bending rules and disregarding norms. “It’s not about whether a casual round matters in the grand scheme,” argued political analyst David Axelrod on CNN. “It’s about the casualness with which truth and rules are treated, reinforcing a pattern people find deeply concerning in a leader” (CNN, July 28, 2025). Supporters, however, often dismiss such accusations as partisan attacks or irrelevant to his political record. The polarized reaction underscores how deeply entrenched views of Trump remain, with golf serving as another proxy battleground. The viral video, regardless of its precise context, adds another layer to the enduring debate about Trump’s relationship with competition, rules, and public perception.

The video serves as a stark, visual reminder of the long-standing questions surrounding Donald Trump’s conduct on the golf course. While defenders dismiss it as irrelevant fun, critics view it as emblematic of a deeper disregard for rules and honesty that extends far beyond the fairway. Whether this latest instance of alleged Trump golf cheating changes any minds is unlikely, but it ensures the conversation about character, played out on manicured greens, continues.

Must Know

1. What does the viral Trump golf video show?
   The video, filmed at Trump’s Turnberry resort in Scotland, shows a caddie walking alongside Trump’s golf cart appearing to toss a ball onto the green. Trump then approaches that spot with his club, creating the impression the ball was placed rather than played from its original lie after a shot. The context of the preceding play isn’t fully visible.
2. Is this the first time Trump has been accused of golf cheating?
   No. Accusations of Donald Trump cheating at golf – including taking illegal mulligans (“do-overs”), improving his lie, inflating his scores, and pressuring partners – have persisted for decades. These claims were extensively documented in sportswriter Rick Reilly’s 2019 book, Commander in Cheat.
3. How has Trump responded to past golf cheating claims?
   Trump has generally dismissed such accusations, often boasting about his golf skills and claiming numerous club championship victories. He has not directly addressed the specific mechanics of most cheating allegations, instead focusing on portraying himself as a highly skilled player.
4. What do experts say about Trump’s golf habits?
   Author Rick Reilly, who researched Trump’s golf history extensively, stated, “What [golf] reveals about this guy is that he cannot lose. He has to win and he will do anything to cheat.” Many journalists and former playing partners have echoed observations of rule-bending during casual rounds.
5. Why does the Trump golf cheating controversy matter beyond sports?
   Critics argue it reflects a broader pattern of disregarding rules and norms, viewing it as indicative of character traits relevant to leadership. Supporters often see it as irrelevant to political performance or dismiss it as partisan nitpicking during informal games.