Trump Seeks 15-Minute Speech at Presidents Cup First Tee
President Trump is expected to attend the Presidents Cup on Sunday and has asked to speak for 15 minutes at the first tee before play begins. The PGA Tour said it is preparing for a possible visit and noted Trump accepted an invitation to serve as honorary chairman. The request would bring an unusual political speech to the international golf competition.
At Sunday’s 2026 Presidents Cup, President Trump is slated to be on site. Golfweek, citing several sources, reports he asked for a quarter-hour address at the opening tee prior to competition. The PGA Tour indicated it was making arrangements for a potential appearance.
Trump agreed to act as the event’s honorary chairman, according to a statement from tour CEO Brian Rolapp. The Presidents Cup matches a U.S. side against players from outside Europe. Trump attended in 2017 and presented the trophy that year; doing so again is possible.
The request could turn a team golf event into a platform for political messaging, affecting players, spectators, and viewers who may expect sport-focused coverage. PGA Tour officials may face pressure balancing an honorary invitation with event neutrality. Broader audiences could see the episode as another example of politics entering sports, potentially shaping how fans and sponsors view such appearances. The impact may remain limited to the tournament’s news cycle.