Trump’s Golf Claims Challenged as Author Compares Wins to ‘Toddler’s Foot Race’
A longtime golf writer has publicly questioned former President Donald Trump’s assertion of 38 golf championship victories, dismissing the claim and characterizing it as akin to a young child believing in imaginary achievements.
On Thursday, Rick Reilly, 67, author of the 2019 book Commander in Cheat—which details allegations of unethical behavior by Trump on the golf course—responded to the former president’s boast during a livestreamed Thanksgiving call with service members. Reilly took to X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “Ha! Trump adds about 10 every time he brings this up. Problem is, he hasn’t actually won any. None.” He further stated, “You beat Trump, he throws you out of the club. It’s like when you let your toddler beat you in a foot race. He thinks it’s real.”
The exchange stemmed from Trump’s extended remarks on the call, where he declared, “I’ve won 38 golf championships and I don’t get to practice very much. I beat a 27-year-old kid… I’ve won 38 of them, every one of them legitimately.” While Trump is known to be an avid golfer, questions regarding his actual skill level have persisted.
The former president’s comments also included a defense of his golf record and a pointed critique of President Joe Biden’s abilities. “A lot of people talk, but they can’t play, like Biden,” Trump said. “Biden can’t hit a ball 30 yards. I’m telling you, I looked at his swing. He cannot hit a ball 30 yards. He said he was a 6-handicapped. That was the only thing that made me angry during the debate with him.” Trump declined to reveal his own handicap during the call, only describing it as “very low.”
Reilly has consistently accused Trump of bending the rules and inflating his wins, arguments he first presented in Commander in Cheat and subsequent interviews. He once reportedly labeled Trump a “f–king golf cheat” while analyzing viral footage of the former president on the course, even alleging attempts to gain an unfair advantage against Tiger Woods. Reilly’s recent post, tagged with #CommanderInCheat, reignited the long-standing debate over Trump’s scoring practices.
For years, Trump has faced accusations of manipulating the game—including subtly moving balls, instructing caddies to interfere with opponents’ shots, and generously awarding himself easy putts—as reported by the Times of London. He has also reportedly claimed victories in events at his own clubs even when he did not participate or his performance was not witnessed, according to the Palm Beach Post.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.
Reilly, who previously played golf with President Bill Clinton in 1995, has become a prominent voice challenging Trump’s narrative surrounding his golfing achievements. His continued criticism underscores a persistent scrutiny of the former president’s claims both on and off the course.
