WASHINGTON D.C. — President Donald Trump came to the defense of golf legend Tiger Woods on Tuesday, following the 15-time major champion’s DUI arrest in Florida after a single-vehicle rollover crash.
In an exclusive phone interview with the New York Post, Trump revealed he had spoken with Woods since the incident and offered a candid assessment of the pressures the athlete faces due to chronic injuries.
“I have” talked with Woods, Trump said. “I think he’s doing great, he’s doing good.”
He added: “He tested negative for alcohol, as you know, and he is under a tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments — you know, the back and the leg.
“He lives a life of pain. He has a lot of pain. He’s an amazing guy. He’s an amazing athlete. He does have pain.”
The comments came after Woods was arrested Friday in Martin County, Florida, on DUI charges following the crash. According to reports, deputies found two white pills — identified as the opioid painkiller hydrocodone — in Woods’ pocket. Woods reportedly told officers he takes “a few” prescription medications.
Trump’s remarks appeared aimed at tempering media scrutiny and reminding the public of the physical toll Woods has endured throughout his career. The five-time Masters winner has undergone multiple back surgeries and procedures on his legs, stemming from a 2021 car crash that nearly ended his playing career, as well as earlier injuries.
The president’s supportive tone underscored his long-standing admiration for Woods, whom he has frequently praised as one of the greatest athletes in history. Trump’s intervention highlights the human side of the golf icon’s struggles, shifting focus from the arrest to the ongoing “tremendous physical pressure” Woods manages daily.
Woods, who is dating Vanessa Trump (the former wife of Donald Trump Jr.), has not publicly commented on the latest incident as of Tuesday afternoon. His representatives have not issued a detailed statement on the arrest.
The story has drawn widespread attention across sports and political media, with many noting Trump’s personal outreach and emphasis on Woods’ resilience despite chronic pain. Supporters viewed the comments as a compassionate reminder of the challenges faced by elite athletes long after their peak performances.
As Woods continues to recover and address the legal matter, Trump’s words serve as a high-profile endorsement of the golfer’s character and fortitude: an “amazing guy” and “amazing athlete” who, despite his public successes, privately “lives a life of pain.”
