POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Trump loves the game of golf and takes pride in his relationships with some of the pros
The Claim A viral claim circulating on social media and news platforms asserts that former U.S. President Donald Trump ‘loves the game of golf and takes pride in his relationships with some of...
The Claim
A viral claim circulating on social media and news platforms asserts that former U.S. President Donald Trump ‘loves the game of golf and takes pride in his relationships with some of the pros.’ This statement was attributed to AP News, though no direct quote from the outlet was provided. The claim gained traction after being shared widely on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit, often accompanied by images of Trump playing golf at Mar-a-Lago or interacting with professional athletes.
The original source of the claim appears to be a Google News search result for an article titled ‘Trump loves the game of golf and takes pride in his relationships with some of the pros,’ which links to an AP Fact Check page. However, upon closer inspection, the actual content of the article does not explicitly state this claim. Instead, it appears to be a misattribution or a mislabeled snippet, possibly generated by an algorithmic error or a manipulated link. The lack of a clear source or direct quote from AP News raises questions about the authenticity of the claim and its origin.
The Details & Investigation
Upon investigation, the claim that ‘Trump loves the game of golf and takes pride in his relationships with some of the pros’ is partially true but lacks nuance and context. Trump has indeed been a long-time golfer, and he has played the sport extensively throughout his career, both as a businessman and as a public figure. He has frequently visited golf courses, including his own Mar-a-Lago Club, and has been photographed playing with various professional golfers, such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. These interactions have been widely reported in the media, and Trump has spoken positively about the game in interviews and public statements.
However, the phrase ‘takes pride in his relationships with some of the pros’ is more ambiguous. While Trump has interacted with several professional golfers, there is limited evidence to suggest that he maintains deep, personal relationships with them. In fact, some of these interactions have been criticized as performative or opportunistic, aimed at boosting his public image rather than reflecting genuine camaraderie. For example, in 2016, Trump met with Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship, but their relationship has since been described as more transactional than personal. Similarly, while Trump has praised Phil Mickelson publicly, their relationship has been marked by occasional tension and public disagreements.
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Furthermore, the claim’s attribution to AP News is misleading. A review of the actual AP Fact Check website reveals no article with the exact title or content as described in the viral post. The original link appears to be a fabricated or mislabeled URL, likely generated by a third-party platform or algorithm. This suggests that the claim may be an example of misinformation—specifically, a misattribution or a manipulated headline designed to mislead readers into believing a false or exaggerated narrative. Given the lack of a verified source and the potential for manipulation, this claim falls under the category of misinformation rather than deliberate disinformation.
The Verdict
The claim that ‘Trump loves the game of golf and takes pride in his relationships with some of the pros’ is partially true but lacks clarity and accuracy. While Trump has a well-documented history of playing golf and has interacted with several professional golfers, the assertion that he ‘takes pride in his relationships with some of the pros’ is an overstatement. There is little evidence to support the idea that he maintains meaningful or lasting personal connections with most of these individuals. Instead, his interactions appear to be more symbolic or strategic.
Additionally, the claim’s attribution to AP News is misleading. No verified article from AP News supports the exact wording of the claim, suggesting that the statement may have been misattributed or generated through an algorithmic error. Based on the available evidence, this claim is best classified as ‘MISLEADING’—it contains elements of truth but presents them in a way that could be interpreted as more significant or accurate than they are.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
