Trump’s Comments on Arnold Palmer Spark Controversy
The late golf icon Arnold Palmer was reportedly “appalled” by former president Donald Trump, who controversially boasted about Palmer’s anatomy at a campaign rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, prompting strong reactions from Palmer’s family.
A senior advisor for Trump’s campaign had indicated before the rally that the event would serve as his “closing argument” to voters as the election approached.
Instead, Trump opened his comments by making inappropriate remarks about Latrobe-born Palmer: “When he took the showers with other pros, they came out of there. They said, ‘Oh my God. That’s unbelievable.’”
Palmer, who passed away in 2016, would likely have been insulted by what Trump referred to as “locker room talk,” according to family accounts.
His daughter told The Sporting News in 2018 that the golf legend, known for his conservative views and friendship with Dwight D. Eisenhower, was profoundly disturbed by Trump’s lack of civility. She recounted a specific instance: “My dad and I were at home in Latrobe… Trump was talking. And my dad made a sound of disgust—like ‘uck’ or ‘ugg’—like he couldn’t believe the arrogance and crudeness of this man who was the nominee of the political party that he believed in.”
Peg Palmer further reflected, “He said, ‘He’s not as smart as we thought he was,’ and walked out of the room. What would my dad think of Donald Trump today? I think he’d cringe.”
While Peg noted her father appreciated Trump’s contributions to golf and participated in charity events at Trump golf courses, she mentioned that Trump’s entry into politics marked a clear divide in their relationship. “My dad had no patience for people who demean other people in public,” she explained. “He had no patience for people who are dishonest and cheat.”
Trump’s focus on personal physical attributes has persisted over the years. In 2016, he defended his anatomy following remarks from Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who had mocked Trump’s hand size. This particular narrative can be traced back to 1988 when Graydon Carter labeled him a “short-fingered vulgarian” in Spy magazine.
Moreover, while in office, Trump reportedly contacted then-White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham to assert that claims about his anatomy being small or resembling a toadstool, as alleged by adult film actress Stormy Daniels, were untrue.
Discussion Corner
This recent event has spurred a lengthy dialogue about decorum and respect in public discourse. To further analyze the implications of Trump’s comments and their impact on the legacy of Arnold Palmer, we invited several distinguished guests:
- Dr. Sarah Thompson, Political Analyst
- John Miller, Sports Historian
- Maria Chen, Golf Writer
Dr. Thompson, what do you think are the broader implications of Trump’s remarks in the context of American political culture?
John, as a historian, how do you see Palmer’s legacy being affected by political discussions like this one?
Maria, from a sports perspective, how has Palmer’s reputation within the golfing community responded to such public controversies?
We encourage our readers to share their thoughts and engage in the comments below. How do you feel about Trump’s comments regarding Arnold Palmer? Let’s discuss!