Donald Trump receives warm welcome during brief remarks at Presidents Cup - USA Today
MEDINAH, IL — President Donald Trump received a warm welcome as he appeared at the trophy stand before the start of the Presidents Cup singles matches on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Medinah Country Club.
After reportedly asking for 15 minutes to make a speech, Trump kept his remarks brief after an introduction from PGA Tour commissioner Brian Rolapp and joked that he wasn't brave enough to subject the crowd to a speech. He then jabbed at the "fake news media," whom he said would report that he received a poor reception.
"Brian said could you make a short speech and I said, 'No, I don't have the courage to make a speech. These people want to see golf. They don't want to hear speeches,' " Trump said to the crowd about 30 minutes before the first match teed off. "I will say this, our country is doing great, better than ever before. And now I want to watch the greatest players in the world go at it today and play your hearts out. It should be a very impressive day of golf."
A few fans in the stands behind him chanted out "four more years" before Trump smiled and waved to the crowd a few more times, then moved to behind the first tee as the golfers teed off on the final day of competition.
Trump greeted all the golfers from both the U.S. and International teams before each player teed off on the first hole, which features a grandstand that can accommodate as many as 5,000 people. Fans filled the bleachers and lined the first fairway for the initial groups for Trump's first visit to the Chicago area during his second term in the White House and the final day of golf's biennial global match-play event.
PGA Tour officials announced enhanced security and additional restrictions at Medinah outside Chicago for Trump’s visit. It included TSA-style security screening to enter the first tee grandstand. His presence also led to a temporary ground stop for departures at nearby O'Hare airport being issued due to "VIP," the Federal Aviation Administration said. Air Force One could be seen flying over Medinah shortly after gates opened on Sunday morning.
Trump was named the honorary chairman of the Presidents Cup last month and announced he would be on hand for the event. It's the second time he's served as honorary chairman for the tournament, having previously hosted it during his first term at his Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey in 2017.
There have been six other U.S. presidents to hold the role of honorary chairman at the Presidents Cup: Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.
