Former President Donald Trump has defended hosting the third Saudi-backed LIV Golf event at his course in Bedminster, New Jersey by declaring "nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11".
LIV Golf is preparing to host its third event at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster - and former President Trump ensured the build up received adequate media attention. The 76-year-old played in the LIV Golf Pro-Am and hinted he is gearing up to run for office in the 2024 United States presidential elections.
He was also asked on national television about his decision to host the LIV Golf tournament bankrolled by Saudi Arabia at his club. When asked about the protests of 9/11 victims’ families, Trump simply said: “Well, nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11 unfortunately and they should have.”
Trump then tried to put a positive spin on the event by referring to those in attendance as "great people" and talked up all the "fun" they were set to have. Trump’s son Eric, along with major champions Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, joined him in the Pro-Am group, which was played without spectators.
Trump’s comments come as a major contrast to what he has said in the past about the 9/11 attacks. When he was running for presidency in 2016, he urged people to "take a look at Saudi Arabia" when discussing the terrorist attack.
Regardless, the 45th President of the United States has been criticised for hosting the third LIV Golf round after the controversial and incredibly lucrative tour made its bow last month. The event begins on Friday and will cover 54 holes in three rounds with a prize pot of just over £20 million.
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Trump teed off alongside his son, Johnson and DeChambeau in the Pro-Am event on Thursday. Asked by a reporter on the first tee if he intended to announce his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, Trumps said: “You’ll be so happy…we’ll let you know pretty soon.”
The two pros clapped and cheered when Trump sent his first drive straight but just off the fairway. After the shot, Trump turned to a group of onlookers - which included his daughter Ivanka and her husband, former White House adviser Jared Kushner - and said: “Glad that’s over with.”
Trump, who owns a number of elite golf courses throughout the world, will also see the season-ending LIV Golf event played at his Doral course near Miami. LIV Golf have created a divide in the sport, with Trump naturally lending his voice to the issue by taking to Truth Social to brand the PGA Tour as disloyal.
Several of the world’s most prominent players have decided to switch to LIV Golf, including the likes of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, and Johnson. Branden Grace secured a two-stroke victory at the second LIV Golf event - which took place in Portland, Oregon - to earn a £3.37 million payout, more than the £2.08 million awarded to Australian Cameron Smith for securing the coveted Open title earlier this month.
