In a striking endorsement at a White House Christmas celebration, professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau publicly hailed Donald Trump's economic management, calling it "the greatest economy we ever had." This unscheduled speech came less than a week after the former President had voiced frustration online about not receiving sufficient credit for the state of the nation's finances.
DeChambeau's Unexpected Economic Endorsement
The impromptu comments were made on Sunday after DeChambeau was invited on stage by Trump himself. The 32-year-old Californian, a two-time US Open champion and a Trump appointee to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, admitted he had not expected to speak. "I did not know I was going to be coming up here today," DeChambeau stated before launching into his praise.
He emphatically told the audience, "What the President has done in this term has been incredible... It's the greatest economy we ever had." His remarks concluded with an awkward segue, complimenting First Lady Melania Trump's appearance before toasting "the greatest economy we've had in a long, long time."
Public Sentiment Contrasts Sharply with Celebrity Praise
DeChambeau's glowing assessment stands in stark contrast to recent polling data and widespread public concern over living costs. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates just 31 percent of American adults approve of Trump's handling of the economy.
Current economic figures present a mixed picture. While inflation has moderated to 3 percent—the same rate as when Trump began his second term—unemployment has risen to 4.4 percent. This marks a shift from the strong job numbers seen under his predecessor, Joe Biden.
The golfer's comments, shared widely on social media, were met with significant scepticism online. Many critics highlighted DeChambeau's substantial personal wealth, noting his reported four-year, $125 million deal to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit in 2022. One detractor remarked online, "You ever notice it's only millionaires and billionaires telling you how great the economy is." Others questioned his expertise, with one stating, "When I want expert analysis... I always go to Bryson DeChambeau."
From Economy to the Fairway
The conversation at the event eventually moved from economics to a topic closer to DeChambeau's professional expertise: the President's golf game. The golfer offered a generous review of Trump's skills, claiming, "His iron play is actually probably better than mine right now. His putting has improved significantly lately." He added, "He's a great golfer, better human being, and we're all lucky to have him as President."
This public endorsement from a high-profile sports star, while welcomed by the President's supporters, underscores the significant divide between the economic experiences of the nation's elite and the financial pressures felt by ordinary citizens grappling with the cost of living.
