Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Donald Trump, has reportedly hinted under oath that the former president occasionally cheats at golf. The revelation came from Graham's 2022 grand jury testimony in Georgia, obtained by the New York Times, where he discussed Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results and his attitude towards losing at golf.
When asked directly whether Trump cheats at golf, Graham replied: “Some people say you may outdrive him, but you’re not going to outdrive his caddy. It is what it is.” The comment echoes long-standing allegations that Trump receives assistance on the course, including from his caddy.
Allegations of Trump cheating at golf are not new. In 2016, actor Samuel L. Jackson accused him of cheating, and in 2018, LPGA player Suzann Pettersen reportedly said Trump “cheats like hell,” though she later denied the comments. Author Rick Reilly's book Commander in Cheat also detailed alleged incidents, such as Trump kicking his ball back onto the fairway, earning him the nickname “Pele” from caddies at Winged Foot.
The issue resurfaced in July when a viral video showed Trump playing golf in Scotland, appearing to show his caddy dropping a ball closer to the fairway, which some interpreted as a rules violation. In his testimony, Graham also dismissed Trump's claims that the 2020 election was stolen, saying Trump would believe “martians came and stole votes.”
Graham later called the Georgia election interference case a “politically driven hit job,” but maintained that Trump “sincerely believed the election was stolen.” The testimony adds to ongoing scrutiny of Trump's conduct both on and off the golf course.
