Caddie’s Subtle Toss Fuels Cheating Allegations at Trump Turnberry
A video showing former U.S. President Donald Trump playing golf at his Turnberry resort in Scotland has triggered a fresh wave of controversy — and this time, it’s not about politics.
The footage, recorded over the weekend during Trump’s latest visit to the Ayrshire coast, appears to show one of his caddies discreetly dropping a golf ball into a more favorable position just shy of a bunker. Within hours, the clip had gone viral on social media platforms, reigniting long-standing accusations that Trump routinely bends the rules on the fairway.
“Trump caught cheating at golf, watch the second guy in the red vest toss a ball behind him,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), attaching a slowed-down video that zooms in on the moment the ball is placed.
Ball Drop Sparks Firestorm on Social Media
The now-viral video shows Trump, 79, arriving near a sand trap in a golf cart while his caddie — clad in a red vest — walks behind. As Trump prepares to dismount, the caddie appears to casually drop a golf ball into the light rough, a maneuver interpreted by online viewers as an effort to give the former president a better lie.
“Watch his caddy drop the ball in a more favorable location for him,” another X user posted. “First he cheated on his wife with children, and now he’s cheating at golf. What low will he not stoop to?”
Though the tone of some comments veered sharply into political territory, the central accusation remained focused: that Trump — an avid golfer who owns several courses worldwide — benefited from a subtle, deliberate adjustment during play.
White House and Trump Camp Silent Amid Renewed Scrutiny
Neither Trump nor the White House has responded to the renewed allegations. The former president, who is currently seeking re-election in 2026, has long been dogged by claims of manipulating golf scores — including anecdotes from former playing partners, journalists, and even golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Trump, who once described golf as “the ultimate game of truth and character,” has brushed off similar cheating accusations in the past, calling them “fake news” or jokes taken too seriously.
Yet the timing of the latest incident — during a well-documented leisure trip at one of his own luxury resorts — has brought fresh attention to his conduct both on and off the course.
Turnberry: A Scottish Showpiece and PR Backdrop
Trump Turnberry, located on Scotland’s west coast, is one of the crown jewels of his international golf portfolio. Since purchasing the resort in 2014, Trump has frequently used the course as a stage for photo ops and public appearances.
The video comes amid heightened interest in Trump’s activities abroad, with critics accusing him of leveraging overseas visits to sidestep domestic scrutiny. The Scotland trip was otherwise low-key, with no formal press briefings or high-profile meetings.
A Familiar Pattern of Golf Drama
This isn’t the first time Trump has faced allegations of stretching golf’s unwritten rules. His former golf partners — including sportscaster Rick Reilly and comedian Anthony Anderson — have publicly described instances where Trump allegedly fudged scores, moved balls, or took dubious mulligans.
Reilly even wrote an entire book titled Commander in Cheat, detailing alleged stories from Trump’s golf outings over the years.
