Donald Trump is facing fresh accusations of cheating after declaring himself the champion of a golf tournament and claiming he has a level of “talent” that the other players lack.
On Sunday, August 2, the president played at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey in both the Senior Men’s Club Championship, open to players aged 50 and older, and the Super Senior Men’s Club Championship, for golfers over 65.
The par-72 course saw Trump post a score of two-under 70, which he claimed gave him victories in both divisions. According to multiple sources, this marks his 43rd club championship across his golf properties, with other reports citing 40 victories.
Afterward, he posted about the result on Truth Social.
“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.”
Trump also shared video of his play, but the footage quickly drew criticism online, with some social media users arguing it appeared to support longstanding claims that he bends the rules on the course.
“Look how fake that s**t is when the ball just puts the brakes on. What a f**king loser and cheater.”
“Did it ‘automatically’ count as ‘going in the hole’? Just being in the general area?” Another added.
“They’re using majestic 12 alien tech on the golf balls.”
“Video exists of his caddie moving the ball for him. Just saying.”
"It's called TALENT, and I have it, and they don't!"@POTUS celebrated a club championship win at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Sunday.
The president said he shot a 2-under 70 to win his 40th club championship.
"Unlike the rest of the field, I'm given… pic.twitter.com/eeNXJZgPSu
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 3, 2026
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Look how fake that shit is when the ball just puts the brakes on. What a fucking loser and cheater.— Auto Immune™ (@Resistital) August 3, 2026
Another commenter alleged that Trump’s “cheating is well documented” and said it was not only obvious but “off the scale by all accounts”.
“Funny. How many has he won NOT at his golf courses?”
I don't care if he's exaggerating. It's hilarious that he posts stuff like this.
— TheDeathmobile (@TheDeathmobile) August 2, 2026
“I don’t care if he’s exaggerating. It’s hilarious that he posts stuff like this.”
Reports say Trump has claimed more than 40 wins in tournaments held at his own golf properties. At 80 years old, Trump has faced criticism throughout his presidency for the amount of time he spends on the golf course, with taxpayer-funded expenses tied to his course visits reportedly exceeding $100 million by early 2026.
Still, critics have repeatedly questioned how those victories should be viewed. Sportswriter Rick Reilly devoted an entire book, Commander in Cheat, to accusations surrounding Trump’s behavior on the golf course. Reilly has described Trump’s cheating as “an 11 on a scale of one to 10.”
In the book, Reilly recounts several allegations, including: “At Winged Foot, where Trump is a member, the caddies got so used to seeing him kick his ball back onto the fairway they came up with a nickname for him: Pele.”
One of the most notable incidents documented by Reilly involved Trump at his West Palm Beach property. Several years ago, Trump declared himself the winner of the senior club championship at his Palm Beach course despite missing half of the tournament while attending a funeral more than 600 miles away. In 2023, he repeated this pattern, claiming a championship victory despite not playing in the first round due to attending another funeral.
Back in 2016, actor Samuel L. Jackson also accused Trump of cheating while playing golf. In an interview, Jackson recounted an incident where he claimed Trump’s caddie told him a ball had been found after Trump hit it into a lake at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster. Jackson said his caddie told Trump he found it, but when they arrived at the location, the ball had somehow moved to a better position. Jackson also revealed he received a bill from Trump National Golf Club for membership dues, though he had not knowingly joined the club.
In January 2026, senator Lindsey Graham testified under oath in a grand jury interview when asked whether Trump cheats at golf: “Some people say you may outdrive him, but you’re not going to outdrive his caddy. It is what it is.”
In 2006, when Trump participated in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe, a tournament where he could not allegedly manipulate the scoring, he finished 62nd out of 80 celebrities, shooting 16 under par for the three rounds.
Separate footage from a round in Scotland went viral last year as well, with viewers claiming it showed Trump’s caddie moving ahead and dropping a ball in a more favorable position.