Fact Check: Are golf organizations working to ban Trump over alleged cheating at championships?

BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY: A rumor surfaced online claiming that US and international golf organisations are working to ban President Donald Trump from the sport over alleged cheating after he claimed victory in both Senior and Super Senior Club Championships at his New Jersey golf club. The claim drew speculation, prompting a fact-check.

Claim: Golf organizations to ban Donald Trump

According to the viral claim, several US and international golf organizations are reportedly working to ban Donald Trump from any official participation in the sport because of his "decades of confirmed cheating," as well as his recent effort to turn his courses into cemeteries to avoid taxes. 

The claim drew mixed reactions from online users, with many accusing the president of cheating, suggesting that they believe the claim to be true. Meanwhile, a few others questioned the claim’s authenticity and remained skeptical, prompting a verification of the viral rumor.

Fact Check: False; the claim originated from a satirical account

The claim, however, is false as there is no evidence of Trump cheating in the recent championship at his Bedminster club in New Jersey. 

There are also no publicly available reports or statements from the golf organisations in the US, including the International Golf Federation (IGF), about a move to ban Trump from the sport over alleged cheating.

The claim that he was trying to turn his courses into cemeteries to avoid taxes is also baseless.

If the claim were true, it would have been widely covered by prominent news outlets, especially sports media, but a Google search yielded no credible results.

Moreover, the claim was posted by a parody account on X called ‘The Halfway Post,’ which describes itself in the bio as ‘satire.’

Donald Trump boasts of Bedminster Golf victory 

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, August 2, Trump said, “The Winning Shot in the Bedminster Club Championship! Thank you very much to all of those who participated." 

"I won with a score of 70, and am so honored in that, unlike the rest of the field, I’m given very little time to practice, because I’m focused on many other things. It’s called TALENT, and I have it, and they don’t! President DONALD J. TRUMP." 

The president was also crowned the Senior Men's Club winner, per the PGA Club Championship in 2023 and 2024.

The president spent the weekend at his Bedminster property as his golfing habits continue to draw public interest.