Fact Check: Did Donald Trump Turn Towards Golf After Brutal Assassination Attempt?

One of the major themes of this year’s presidential election involved U.S. Presidents and golf – from Biden and Trump debating their handicaps to Trump’s “Blue Monster” taunt aimed at the current President. And now, when chaos erupted in Butler during Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania – where the former POTUS was shot in his right ear – golf became a topic of conversation yet again. Or rather, it was the 78-year-old’s golfing activities.

The incident in Pennsylvania involved a shooter who wounded two people and killed one, apart from striking Donald Trump’s right ear with a bullet. The 78-year-old was quickly escorted off the stage and provided with the medical care he needed. Many in the golf community came forward to condemn the act of violence against the 78-year-old, including Bryson DeChambeau and his long-time friend John Daly.

Subsequently, one of Donald Trump’s advisors reported that he was doing fine and planning his visit to the Milwaukee Convention. The former POTUS confirmed it himself on Truth Social. “Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin and The Republican National Convention by two days, but I have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling or anything else. Therefore, I will be leaving for Milwaukee, as scheduled, at 3:30 PM TODAY. Thank you!” 

Just 24 hours after the assassination attempt, he landed in Wisconsin and was greeted by USAF Airmen. However, it wasn’t the fact that he was back to his political duties within a day of being shot at that stole the limelight. It was Trump’s love of golf that made headlines again. A post on Reddit credited with catching the attention of many stated that the former President landed in Newark and visited his Trump Bedminster Golf Club to hit some shots. The post was by someone who claimed to be a cart boy at the club.

They wrote, “[Trump] was in high spirits… I was able to watch him putt on the 9th green. He had about a 20 footer, with probably 2 feet of break. Sure enough, he drains it and goes, ‘Difference between me and the shooter is that I don’t miss!’” Along with this were videos of him enjoying a good day on the golf course, assumed to be during his visit to the Newark greens.

Soon after, Happy Gilmore actor Shooter McGavin reposted the Reddit story on X, claiming it was “legendary” coming from the former POTUS, especially right after the assassination attempt. The post quickly went viral, but users weren’t convinced that Trump played golf right after the attack and dismissed the story as a fabrication. They made their thoughts known on social media.

The golf world thinks there was a “zero percent” chance of  Donald Trump’s golf outing 

Supposed videos of Donald Trump landing in Newark and briefly visiting the Bedminster Golf Club before his flight to Wisconsin circulated online. His arrival coincided with a rainy day, but the videos showed no visible rain. Consequently, claims of Trump playing golf were deemed fake. One fan commented, “He didn’t go golfing today. This is all fake. He doesn’t need more proof of how bada*s he is by having people share made-up golfing stories.”

Another fan reciprocated a similar stance while also showing their admiration for McGavin. “Love you bud, but not true.” Seeing as Trump’s post on Truth Social mentioned he’d be flying to Wisconsin at 3:30 PM, he couldn’t have been in Newark just an hour or so before his departure from Pennsylvania, especially since his ear wound had to be tended to.

This made a user write, “I’ll take ‘sh*t that didn’t happen’ for 500.” Considering pictures and videos of him subsequently landing in Wisconsin emerged just a while later, another user commented, “Chances this happened are zero percent.” There has rarely been a video of Trump draining a birdie or even putt out in public. And when his swing videos were posted, the 45th President received massive criticism for them. So, video evidence has never proven the claims that Trump is an exceptional recreational golfer.

Hence, this user doubtfully asked, “How come we NEVER see a video of a putt or fairway hit – ever?” Regardless, Donald Trump has safely reached Milwaukee and will be at the convention despite the assassination attempt. The 45th President thanked the people for their concerns, and even his son, Trump Jr., confirmed that his father was in high spirits. As for playing golf after the attack, it would be safe to say that didn’t happen. Even Republican Senator Mike Lee confirmed it.

Initially, he shared a video from Trump’s alleged Bedminster Golf Club visit, writing, “Gets shot. Gets up the next day. Goes golfing.” After hyping up the former POTUS some more, he realized the video was old. And Lee informed his followers: “Okay, I’m now told this video was uploaded today but *not* taken today. My bad!”

What are your thoughts on the whole story? Share them in the comments below!