STERLING, Va. – Former president Donald Trump spoke highly of LIV Golf, as the controversial golf tour hosts this weekend’s event at the Trump National Golf Club – Washington, DC.
Playing in the pro-am Thursday alongside Eric Trump, Patrick Reed and Bob Koepka, Trump told reporters along the course LIV Golf’s future is “very good” and it has “unlimited money.”
“I think the (PGA) Tour made a major mistake by playing games. They have unlimited money, and they love it. And it’s been great publicity for Saudi Arabia,” Trump said.
Trump also talked highly of the course LIV Golf uses, and the tour wanted to use his course “because they’re the best courses.”
“I think I have the best courses. It’s the best course in the tri-state area. It’s the best course. It’s not even a contest,” he said. “I think it’s one of the best properties anywhere in the world. You have the Potomac River. Not just any river. You have the Potomac River. There’s no other golf course that can be on the Potomac. And certainly no other golf course like this.”
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Trump has praised LIV Golf since the tour began last year. Before hosting an event in July at Trump National Golf Bedminster in New Jersey, the former president implored golfers to take the guaranteed money the tour offers, which is financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Trump also said the people of Saudi Arabia have “been friends of mine for a long time” at last year’s event.
LIV Golf has received widespread criticism and some have argued that it’s used as a form of sports washing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Saudi Arabia has been accused of wide-ranging human rights abuses, including politically motivated killings, torture, forced disappearances and inhumane treatment of prisoners. And members of the royal family and Saudi government were accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.
A New York Times report earlier this month said the U.S. Department of Justice subpoenaed the Trump Organization for records regarding LIV Golf and Trump’s ties to the tour.
Trump on his play during LIV Golf pro-am: “It’s fine. We’re just having fun. We’re playing best ball, I guess.”
Trump also spoke about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who announced his presidential campaign for the 2024 election Wednesday, and is largely seen as Trump’s biggest opponent in the Republican Party. He called DeSantis a “very disloyal person.”
“Look, a poll just came out in Iowa − you saw the one that just came out a couple minutes ago − I’m leading by 30 or 40 points. I don’t mind that at all. But no, I think he’s very disloyal. He’s got no personality. If you don’t have personality, politics is a very hard business. I have a wonderful personality,” Trump said.
Trump said he has played golf with DeSantis before, adding he believes his golf game is better than DeSantis’.
