President Donald Trump isn’t hiding his confidence when it comes to his golf game.
During his weekend trip to Ireland, Trump praised his abilities on the course while also responding to years of accusations that he bends the rules while playing the sport.
The president arrived in Ireland on Saturday for a two-day visit that combines diplomatic engagements with an appearance at the Irish Open, being held at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg.
Trump met with Irish leaders in Dublin before heading to County Clare, where his family’s golf resort is hosting the major tournament.
But before making his way to the course, Trump had something to say about his own golf skills.
Trump Praises His Golf Game
In an early-morning post on Truth Social, Trump shared a video showing his golf swing and offered a confident assessment of his performance.
“Such a great golfer. Too bad I have very little time to play!!!” Trump wrote.
The remark was classic Trump — short, confident and certain to attract attention.
Golf has been one of Trump’s most visible interests for decades. His family business operates prominent golf properties in the United States and abroad, and the president has frequently discussed his performance on the course.
During his Ireland visit, however, Trump didn’t stop at praising his swing.
He also addressed one of the controversies that has followed his golf game for years.
Trump Responds to Cheating Accusations
Trump has faced repeated allegations that he doesn’t always follow the rules while golfing. The president pushed back on those claims while speaking in Dublin, arguing that his Secret Service protection makes cheating virtually impossible.
“Does Trump cheat? I can’t cheat,” Trump said.
His reasoning was straightforward: There are simply too many people watching him.
Trump pointed to the large number of Secret Service personnel involved in protecting a sitting president and suggested it would be difficult to secretly move a golf ball with agents nearby.
Trump jokingly acknowledged the accusations before emphasizing the extraordinary security presence surrounding him whenever he plays.
The comments offered a glimpse of Trump’s familiar sense of humor while touching on a subject that has generated plenty of headlines over the years.
Secret Service Security Becomes Part of the Story
Trump then shifted from golf to the much more serious subject of presidential security.
He joked about what could happen to other golfers if a dangerous situation developed while they were playing alongside the president.
According to Trump, Secret Service agents have one overriding responsibility during an emergency: protecting the president.
Trump recalled a humorous conversation in which another golfer wondered what would happen to him if a security threat suddenly emerged. Trump’s punchline was that the other player could effectively be considered “collateral damage” while agents concentrated on getting the president to safety.
The story drew laughs, but Trump quickly connected the discussion to a far more serious event.
Trump References Butler Assassination Attempt
Trump specifically mentioned Butler, Pennsylvania, where he survived an attack during a campaign rally in July 2024.
A gunman opened fire as Trump addressed supporters, striking him in the ear before Secret Service personnel rushed him from the stage.
The incident fundamentally changed the security environment surrounding Trump.
“They don’t play games,” Trump said of the Secret Service, adding that the agency has been “great.”
His Ireland trip has also required an extensive security operation involving American and Irish authorities.
Large security measures were put in place in Dublin and around Doonbeg as Trump traveled between political meetings and the Irish Open.
Trump Returns to One of His Favorite Subjects
Golf nevertheless remained a recurring theme throughout the president’s visit.
Trump has long promoted his golf properties and has frequently spoken about his own abilities as a player. His Doonbeg resort now has an especially prominent place in the golf world as host of the 2026 Irish Open.
For Trump, the tournament provides an opportunity to showcase the property while watching some of the world’s leading golfers compete.
It also gave the president another chance to remind the public what he thinks of his own game.
While critics may continue debating Trump’s history on the golf course, the president himself appears to have little doubt about his abilities.
And with just a few words on social media, Trump once again managed to turn his golf swing into a national conversation.