Fact Check: Did Trump share a Truth Social post asking DeSantis to pardon Tiger Woods?

WASHINGTON, DC: Rumors involving Tiger Woods are spreading rapidly across social media after the golf legend's car crash in Florida, with one claim drawing particular attention. It suggests that President Donald Trump urged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to pardon Woods. The speculation intensified following a Truth Social post attributed to Trump that reportedly emphasized a pardon for the golfer, but questions remain about the authenticity of these claims.

Claim: Trump shared a Truth Social post asking Ron DeSantis to pardon Tiger Woods

An image spread online claiming to show a Truth Social post from US President Donald Trump asking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to pardon golfer Tiger Woods. A screenshot of the supposed post appeared on several platforms, leaving many people unsure if it was real.

The post claimed, "I've just been told that Tiger Woods, who is a Great Golfer and even Greater American, was involved in a minor fender bender today, and as a result of a misunderstanding, was charged with a dreaded DUl."

It also said, "This happening as he attempts to return to professional golf. Everyone deserves a second chance, which Tiger never got, if we're being honest."

It ended by saying, "That is why I am calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to IMMEDIATELY AND COMPLETELY PARDON Tiger so he can focus on The Masters and help to Make Golf Great Again!"

The image spread widely on platforms like Instagram and drew a lot of attention, with many users questioning whether it was real.

Some people asked if the post was real, while others believed it and said, "Big Tiger guy, but driving under the influence is illegal, and no one is above the law."

A few users were angry at the idea of excusing such behavior. "We’re bailing out DUIs now? For whatever reason that’s too far. I get self preservation, I don’t agree with it but I get it, but we’re not excusing DUIs," an Instagram user shared. And others clearly stated that the post was fake. One declared, "This is fake"

Fact Check: Trump did not ask Ron DeSantis to pardon Tiger Woods

However, the post was not real. Checks of Donald Trump’s Truth Social account and archives of his posts found no proof that he asked Ron DeSantis to pardon Tiger Woods.

Although the profile photo and username looked like Trump’s real account, there were clear signs the screenshot was fake. It did not show a timestamp or any engagement details like likes, comments, or shares, which are normally seen on real Truth Social posts.

It is not clear where the fake image first came from. One widely shared post that included the screenshot was later deleted.

After Woods’ 2026 crash, Trump told reporters that he felt bad about the situation. He said Woods had been in an accident and called him a close friend and an amazing person.

"I feel so badly. He's got some difficulty. There was an accident, and that's all I know. Very close friend of mine. He's an amazing person, an amazing man, but some difficulty."

Their friendship may have helped the rumor spread. The two have played golf together several times since 2016. Trump had earlier awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019.

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