Tag: Donald Trump

Did Donald Trump beat a pair of pro golfers? One Congressional candidate said he did

According to a former White House aide: “Trump put to shame two professional golfers.”

Former President Donald Trump enjoys spending time on the golf course, and he had long hoped to host a major tournament at one of the courses his organization owns. The 2022 PGA Championship was originally scheduled at his course in Bedminster, but the PGA of America took that away after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump still plays consistently and he has long been proud of his game.

But does the 77-year-old presidential candidate have the kind of game that can hold off touring pros? According to a former White House aide who is running for Congress, that’s exactly what happened during a recent outing.

At a rally in Rome, Georgia, candidate Brian Jack insisted that Trump did just that.

More: Take a look at the golf courses owned by Donald Trump

“I’m not sure if I should say this,” said Jack. “But just a few weeks ago, President Trump put to shame two professional golfers. I ain’t gonna mention their names, but just know he shot a 70 on 18 holes.”

According to a post at Mediaite.com, no course was mentioned in Jack’s speech, but this score would be in line with previous numbers Trump has insisted he’s produced.

Jack did not cite the course where this alleged 70 was shot. But if it was the notoriously difficult Trump-owned Bedminster, NJ layout, then Trump might have actually had an off day. Back in August, the former president claimed to have shot a 67 on that track. Two weeks earlier, a the same course hosted a tournament for Saudi-backed LIV golf. Trump’s claimed 67 would have beaten 47 of the 48 pros in the final round.

The aspiring congressman did not share any specifics — including whether Trump took any mulligans or played from the same tees as the pros. If Trump got any significant edges like that, then the pros certainly would not have felt as though they’d been “put to shame” — even if Trump shot a lower score. But the idea of Trump, at age 77, outplaying two current pros without receiving any type of advantage?

In 2023, Trump announced the victory via social media.

“I am pleased to report, for those that care, that I just won the Senior Club Championship (must be over 50 years old!) at Bedminster (Trump National Golf Club), shooting a round of 67,” the Palm Beach resident posted. “Now, some people will think that sounds low, but there is no hanky/lanky. Many people watch, plus I am surrounded by Secret Service Agents. Not much you can do even if you wanted to, and I don’t.”

Trump concluded his post: “For some reason, I am just a good golfer/athlete – I have won many Club Championships, and it is always a great honor!”

Charles Barkley says he’ll ‘punch’ any Black person wearing a Donald Trump mug shot shirt

“If I see a Black person walking around with a Trump mug shot, I’m gonna punch him in the face.”

It’s no secret that Charles Barkley isn’t a fan of Donald Trump or his supporters — he’s been extremely outspoken about all of that before the former was elected president.

On his CNN show with Gayle King earlier this week, Barkley had more to say in response to Trump saying “the Black population” is walking around with shirts showing Trump’s mug shot.

When King asked how Barkley felt about that, the Hall of Famer took a deep breath and responded: “First of all, I’m just gonna say this: if I see a Black person walking around with a Trump mug shot, I’m gonna punch him in the face.”

King replied, “You really can’t say that, because you don’t mean that.”

But we know Barkley, and he’s not kidding, which is what he said in response. And remember, he’s the same guy who said he’d punch Aaron Rodgers in the face if he was Jimmy Kimmel.

Check out the whole clip below:

Jorge Masvidal rips ‘lying piece of sh*t’ Colby Covington for accusing UFC 296 judges of being anti-Trump

Jorge Masvidal REALLY hates that Colby Covington tried to, as he puts, blame his most recent title-fight loss on Donald Trump.

[autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] jumped on the opportunity to pile on rival [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag].

Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296 – a fight he thought he won. Covington claimed the judges were against him because of his support of former U.S. President [autotag]Donald Trump[/autotag]. Covington also shared an X-ray that later revealed he broke his foot in Round 1, which hampered his performance.

Masvidal, who’s also an adoring Trump supporter, went off on Covington for using Trump’s name to make excuses.

“For starters, I never met such a f*cking hoe in my life, such a b*tch, you know?” Masvidal told BroBible of Covington. “He doesn’t know anything about politics. He literally just attaches his name to Trump, hoping that Trump will one day tweet his name or maybe show up to a fight and things like that, but the guy literally knows nothing about politics, knows nothing about immigration laws knows, nothing about 401(k)s, about foreign policies, domestic policies. He knows nothing. All this guy f*cking does is throw his money away, f*cking gambling on poker and pay for prostitutes to be in his f*cking video.

“So for him to go out there and involve Trump’s name so much and then say, ‘The judges don’t like me because I roll with Trump, and they robbed me because of Trump,’ you’re a f*cking piece of sh*t. Now you’re blaming the f*cking greatest president this country has ever seen. You’re blaming your f*cking sh*tty ass loss (on him). You didn’t do a damn thing and everybody says – even your mom f*cking says – you’re a f*cking bum. You’re going to blame that on Trump because you’re such a f*cking bum. You’re a piece of sh*t. It just shows who he is, and of course now he has a broken foot. Guy’s a f*cking cheating, lying piece of sh*t, cop-calling motherf*cker, and I can’t wait to see his ass.”

Masvidal’s disdain for Covington comes as no surprise. Masvidal lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Covington in March 2022, but their beef didn’t end there. Shortly after the loss, Masvidal was arrested for attacking Covington outside a Miami restaurant.

This past November, the former BMF champion pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge as part of a plea deal to have two felony charges of battery and criminal mischief dropped.

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This NYC golf course officially has a new title — and the name Trump has been removed

The course opened in 2014 and debuted at No. 2 on Golfweek’s Best: NY list, trailing only Bethpage Black.

The lengthy process to excise former president Donald Trump’s brand from a New York City golf course finally came to a close on Thursday as leaders from the nation’s largest metropolitan area gathered to unveil a new sign.

Ferry Point, which sits in the Bronx alongside the East River, was officially renamed Bally’s Golf Links on Thursday and NYC mayor Eric Adams was on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Previously, the course had been known as Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point and was under the direction of the Trump Organization.

The links-style golf course opened in 2014 and debuted at No. 2 for New York on Golfweek’s Best: State-by-State Courses You Can Play list in 2015, trailing only Bethpage Black. When Ferry Point opened, the city signed a 20-year agreement with the Trump Organization.

While the course opened beneath the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge (on the site of a former New York City landfill) in 2014, a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, designed by the architectural firm Hart Howerton, was completed in 2019.

But in 2021, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city would terminate contracts with the Trump Organization in the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, which sent lawmakers running for cover in fear for their lives and left five people dead and dozens injured.

A protracted two-and-a-half-year legal battle came to an end in October, leading to Trump’s name being removed from the golf course. Bally’s, which is hoping to work with the city to secure a valuable gaming license, is expected to assume the previous lease. Trump was in the ninth year of the lease with the city.

The Bally’s deal is similar to the one Trump reached with Hilton to buy him out of his lease with the federal government to operate the old post office in Washington D.C.

While many gathered at the golf course for the new sign unveiling, Trump was across town at his civil fraud case, but earlier in the day Nassau County authorities responded to a bomb threat at the home of state Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the trial. The incident isn’t expected to delay closing arguments in the case.

“There was a threat. I can confirm a bomb threat,” said Al Baker, a court spokesperson. “As of now we are going forward as scheduled and the court proceedings and closing arguments are going ahead as planned.”

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Gallery: Clemson tops South Carolina, celebrates at Williams-Brice Stadium

Check out the best photos from Clemson’s road win over South Carolina on Saturday night.

Clemson defeated South Carolina 16-7 at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, and the Tigers understandably were happy to celebrate the rivalry win.

In the nine-point victory, Clemson’s defense was the story of the game, as it held South Carolina to 169 total yards and seven points while forcing two turnovers. While the Tigers’ offense struggled to earn points, the defense came up clutch when it mattered, with true freshman defensive back Khalil Barnes recording both takeaways, including a 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

With the win, the Tigers reclaimed the Palmetto Bowl Trophy and moved their all-time record versus the Gamecocks to 73-43-4.

Here are some of the best photos from the game:

Fans, Donald Trump, the players and more winners and losers from LIV Golf’s second year

In 2023 the players and fans were both winners and losers.

Ask anyone who works for LIV Golf and they’ll tell you all eyes are on 2024 and beyond now that another season is in the books.

Following its inaugural eight-event series in 2022, this year marked the debut of the rebranded LIV Golf League, which saw the upstart circuit led by Greg Norman and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund host 14 events around the world, from Mayakoba to Jeddah. The league didn’t quite dominate as much of the conversation in 2023 as it did last year, but still held down (and even expanded in some places) its footing in golf’s larger ecosystem.

As the league transitions into what could make for a busy offseason, let’s take a look back at the biggest winners and losers from LIV Golf’s second season.

Photos: 2023 LIV Golf Team Championship at Trump National Doral in Miami

Here’s a look at some of the best photos from the 2023 LIV Golf Team Championship. 

It’s time for the LIV Golf season finale.

Event No. 14 is here for LIV in its second season, as the circuit moves to Trump National Doral in Miami for its team championship.

The format will look similar to last year’s event: a little bit of match play, a little bit of stroke play with a whole lot of money on the line.

Teams have been earning points all season based on their finishes: the winning team goes home with 32 points, while Nos. 9-12 in the weekly standings leave empty-handed. After LIV’s final regular-season event in Jeddah last week, teams were seeded based on their position in the final standings.

The three-day shotgun start event features a $50 million purse as well as a mix of singles and foursomes matches in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds on Friday and Saturday, with stroke play for Sunday’s final round.

Here’s a look at some of the best photos from the 2023 LIV Golf Team Championship.

Trump Organization might be forced out of two New York golf courses

Yet to be decided is whether the Trump Organization will continue to own and operate three major holdings in the region.

The $250 million civil fraud trial of the Trump Organization, which began with great acclaim this week in a Manhattan courtroom, will bring Trump’s Hudson Valley holdings back to public prominence.

Yet to be decided is whether the Trump Organization will continue to own and operate three major holdings in the region: Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor; Trump National Golf Club Hudson Valley in Hopewell Junction; and the historic Seven Springs estate in Bedford, North Castle and New Castle.

These three facilities were part of the case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James, who alleged that the Trump Organization had wildly exaggerated the value of its holdings in its statements of financial condition that are used by lending institutions when determining whether to approve loans.

Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron in late September ruled that Trump committed fraud with his exaggerated valuations of Trump Tower in Manhattan, Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Seven Springs, as well as his golf courses, including those in the Hudson Valley.

More: Take a look at the golf courses owned by Donald Trump

The non-jury trial, which is expected to grind on until sometime in December, concerns six remaining claims, which include how much the Trump Organization will owe in penalties to New York state. James is seeking $250 million and a ban on Trump doing business in New York.

That could impact Trump’s golf courses in Briarcliff and Hopewell Junction. It could also determine the fate of Seven Springs, the sprawling estate that covers more than 200 acres where Trump first proposed a world-class golf course and luxury housing development. Rebuffed on his golf course plan, Trump scaled back to a much smaller luxury home development.

That too failed to get off the ground in several iterations, with approvals for the final seven-lot subdivision in Bedford never finalized. That led Trump’s decision to put much of the land under a conservation easement in 2016.

2023 LIV Golf DC
Former President Donald Trump (right) jokes with golfer Patrick Reed (left) at the first tee during the Pro-Am tournament at LIV Golf. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 2024 who faces four indictments on state and federal charges, appeared in court on the first two days of the trial. There, he has engaged in his trademark political theatre outside of the courtroom, assailing the judge and the entire legal process.

“This is a judge that should be disbarred,” Trump said on Monday. “This is a judge that should be out of office. This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what he’s doing. He’s interfering with an election, and it’s a disgrace.”

In Briarcliff Manor, Mayor Steve Vescio said he’s concerned if Trump loses control of the course, which the former president bought from the struggling Briar Hall Golf and Country Club for $7.5 million in 1996. After the investment of a reported $45 million in redesigning the course and building a new clubhouse, the new Trump National was unveiled in 2002.

Vescio, whose father, William, clashed with the Trump Organization while village mayor from 2004 to 2015, said he’s concerned that another entity might not maintain the course at the same high standard as the Trump Organization.

“There was a long approval process for the new course, and Trump reactivated a site that had been neglected,” Vescio said. “They have taken good care of the property, and have worked well with the village. They’ve been a good neighbor.”

Engoron found that from 2013 to 2020, Trump’s financial condition reports included a premium of 15% or 30% premium on value, based on the Trump brand, on seven golf courses, including Trump National Hudson Valley in Hopewell Junction.

At Trump National in Briarcliff Manor, Trump in 2014 valued the golf club portion at $16.5 million when it was considering donating a conservation easement. Yet that same year, the club’s value more than tripled to $73 million in his financial condition report.

Trump’s legal team had argued that his appraisers had used a “fixed assets” approach to valuation in the higher value, which included what Trump spent to acquire and maintain the property. But Engoron found such a valuation was “false and misleading.”

“The price for which you purchase property is not necessarily the price for which you can sell it,” he wrote.

The lawsuit also alleges that Trump inflated the value of Trump National Hudson Valley because the financial statement did not disclose that Trump has a lease for the property, and did not account for the rent the company paid to the landlord.

David McKay Wilson writes about tax issues and government accountability. Follow him on Twitter @davidmckay415 or email him at dwilson3@lohud.com

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