Mumbai: US President Donald Trump has been accused of cheating in golf. A now-viral video has sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Trump of cheating after one of his caddies was seen discreetly placing a ball on the fairway for him.
The Video
As per the Daily Mail, the video was filmed from inside a building overlooking the Turnberry golf course. Trump is seen driving up the left side of the fairway in a golf cart, with a sand bunker in front of him and patches of fescue grass nearby. Two caddies walk ahead of his cart. As they pass the area where Trump’s shot would have supposedly landed, one of the caddies subtly stops, bends down, and drops a golf ball onto the fairway - placing it in a favorable lie.
A few seconds later, Trump steps out of his golf cart holding a club and walks toward the freshly dropped ball. He prepares to take a shot, suggesting that he’s either unaware the ball was placed or is pretending it was his original shot. The video ends before he swings, but the implication is clear: this ball didn’t land there naturally, it was intentionally placed. The smoothness of the caddy’s action, combined with Trump’s immediate approach, led many on social media to call out the President for what they see as blatant cheating.
One user on X remarked, “Who needs a foot wedge when you have a personal ball dropper???” Another joked, “Him and Kim Jong Un would be INSANE scramble partners.” A user claiming to be a PGA professional posted, “Such a perfect metaphor for our Commander-in-Cheat.”
Others expressed disbelief at the ease with which the caddy carried out the maneuver, with one writing, “Caddy did that so smoothly. Can only imagine how many times he’s done it.” Many pointed out that this wasn't a simple case of bending the rules - this was an outright fabrication of a shot.
Dropping a ball in a more advantageous position without penalty, especially after losing or mis-hitting one, is considered cheating in golf. According to the rules, players must play the ball where it lies unless given relief by specific conditions. A ball being artificially placed in a perfect spot by a caddy is a direct violation. This isn’t the first time Trump has faced accusations of dishonesty on the course. Earlier this year, actor Samuel L Jackson openly claimed Trump cheated during a round they played together.
When asked who the better golfer was, Jackson responded, “Oh, I am, for sure. I don't cheat.” Trump, in turn, denied ever playing with Jackson. Actor Anthony Anderson shared a similar story during a 2016 appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. He stated, “Trump is a great golfer. I'm not going to say Trump cheats. His caddy cheats for him.” When asked if he had seen it himself, Anderson replied, “Oh yes, several times.
Several times.” He detailed how he and Trump hit similar shots, but while Anderson’s ball was lost in rough terrain, Trump’s mysteriously appeared “right there in the middle of the fairway” with a perfect lie. Describing Trump’s playing style, sportswriter Rick Reilly said, “To say Donald Trump cheats is like saying Michael Phelps swims. Trump doesn't just cheat at golf. He cheats like a three-card monte dealer. He throws it, boots it and moves it.”
