- Footage taken Thursday shows Trump participating in the LIV Golf pro-am event in the summer heat.
- Trump played alongside his son, Eric, and LIV golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.
- The former president has expressed his support for the new golf league funded by Saudi investors.
Footage taken Thursday morning shows former President Donald Trump participating in the LIV Golf pro-am at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Trump played in the summer heat alongside his son, Eric, and LIV pro golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.
The president, who is passionate about the sport, has made several statements in support of the new LIV Golf tour, which is funded by sponsors Saudi Arabia. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he said that the tournament has been a wonderful investment for the country, bringing a lot of publicity.
“I think LIV has been a great thing for Saudi Arabia, for the image of Saudi Arabia,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be an incredible investment from that standpoint, and that’s more valuable than a lot of other things because you can’t buy it, even with billions of dollars.”
LIV Golf has faced significant criticism from advocacy groups who claim the new league is akin to “sports washing” and that the Saudi government is trying to whitewash its image and reputation with the new golf league.
The National Press Club chastised LIV Golf and Trump in a statement.
“For the tournament to be held on a course owned by former President Trump is, if possible, even more disgusting,” the statement said. “It reminds us that the former president bragged about distracting Congress from the assassination by delaying the release of the US government’s final report which concluded that MBS, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia (and recipient of President Biden’s punch) was very likely. involved in planning and approving Jamal’s assassination.”
Two of LIV Golf’s 12 events will be held at Trump properties, including this week in Bedminster and an October event in Miami.