Trump claims he saved Ryder Cup with executive order as golf world ridicules boast
White House says the event proceeds after president signs measure to avert LIRR strike; fans online mock the claim as Bethpage Black hosts the biennial match.
Donald Trump drew sharp mockery from golf fans after asserting that the Ryder Cup would not be taking place this week in New York if not for him. The biennial competition between Europe and the United States is scheduled to unfold over the next few days at Bethpage Black on Long Island. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Ryder Cup is moving forward because the president recently signed an executive order to prevent a Long Island Rail Road strike from disrupting transportation ahead of the tournament.
Leavitt also cited an emergency-board arrangement to review the dispute between the LIRR and its unions, a move she said would prevent the strike from interfering with attendance and travel to the event. USA Ryder Cup player Bryson DeChambeau praised the president for what she said was protecting the world-class competition, according to Leavitt.
Golf fans immediately took to social media to question the boast and point out that the Ryder Cup has been held every two years since its inception in 1927. Several posts suggested the event would have proceeded without presidential intervention, while others mocked the notion that a single leader could be responsible for the tournament's existence.
Trump is due to attend Friday's Ryder Cup session, with organizers hoping to avoid disruptions by limiting his arrival to late morning rather than the opening tee shots. A person close to the president told Daily Mail Sport that Trump plans to be in attendance at Bethpage Black mid-morning on opening day, a development seen as easing security concerns after a chaotic scene at this month’s U.S. Open final at Flushing Meadows.
Bethpage Black hosts the event as part of the Ryder Cup's long-running schedule, with Europe and the United States facing off in a competition that travels to course venues roughly every two years. The controversy surrounding the president's involvement comes as the event unfolds amid heightened security and logistical talk, but organizers emphasize the competition remains the centerpiece for players and fans alike.
The Ryder Cup, one of golf's most storied events, continues this week as planned, with competitors from both teams pursuing the trophy at Bethpage Black while the surrounding debate over transportation and presidential influence remains a talking point.