Farmingdale, N.Y. – As the biennial Ryder Cup tees off this weekend at Bethpage Black Golf Course, organizers and federal authorities are implementing unprecedented security measures ahead of President Donald J. Trump’s scheduled appearance on Friday. The event, pitting top American and European golfers against each other, has long been a celebration of the sport, but this year’s tournament arrives against a backdrop of escalating political tensions and a wave of targeted violence attributed by many to left-wing extremists.
Trump, who has deep ties to the golf world and has hosted major events in the past, is set to attend the opening day of competition, drawing cheers from supporters and scrutiny from critics alike. His visit, confirmed by White House officials, comes after two high-profile assassination attempts against him during his 2024 presidential campaign — one in Butler, Pennsylvania, that grazed his ear, and another thwarted plot at his Florida golf course. The recent conviction of Ryan Routh on charges including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate has only amplified concerns, with the 59-year-old North Carolina man found guilty just days ago in a Florida federal court.
In response, the PGA of America and U.S. Secret Service have rolled out “beefed-up” protocols, including mandatory bag checks, metal detectors at all entry points, and restricted no-fly zones over the venue. Fans arriving for Friday’s sessions will face additional screenings, with reports of sniffer dogs and counter-drone technology deployed across the 7,500-acre grounds.
“This isn’t just about the Ryder Cup; it’s about ensuring a safe environment amid the current climate,” said a PGA spokesperson, declining to specify troop numbers but confirming collaboration with local and federal law enforcement.
The heightened vigilance stems from a broader escalation in what President Trump and Republican leaders have dubbed “radical left” violence, a narrative gaining traction following a string of shocking incidents in recent weeks and months. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue the rhetoric risks inflaming divisions, but data and investigations point to a disturbing uptick in ideologically motivated attacks.
Foremost among them is the brazen assassination of Christian conservative leader Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, who was gunned down on September 10 at a college event in Utah. The 31-year-old Kirk, a vocal Trump ally known for mobilizing young conservatives, was assassinated in what prosecutors described as a “politically motivated” hit. Suspect Tyler Robinson, a gay 22-year-old in a relationship with a man transitioning to a woman, had recently marinated himself in radical leftwing Reddit forums. The ammo he used included messages that echoed the Marxist terrorist group, Antifa. Robinson faces aggravated murder charges and the death penalty.
Compounding the grief, the cold-blooded assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024 — perpetrated by Luigi Mangione, who penned a socialist-laden manifesto — continues to reverberate through corporate and political circles. Mangione’s terrorism charges were dismissed last week, leaving him to face murder charges, but his diary entries, revealed in June, exposed a far-left ideologue.
More immediate threats have rocked federal facilities and places of worship. On Wednesday, a gunman opened fire from a rooftop at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Dallas, Texas, killing one detainee and critically wounding two others in what officials called a “targeted act of violence.” The shooter, whose manifesto cited opposition to immigration enforcement, killed himself, prompting Republican figures like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to call out “radical Left Democrats” for demonizing ICE. This incident caps what Fox News described as an “escalating left-wing terror wave,” linking it to prior attacks.
Faith communities have not been spared. The August 27 mass shooting at Minneapolis’s Annunciation Catholic Church left two children dead and severely injured 20 others. The perpetrator, a radical transgender, revealed an “obsession” with mass shooters and anti-religious sentiments, with investigators probing links to far-left trans groups.
For now, eyes turn to Bethpage Black, where the fairways may symbolize escape, but the shadows of division loom large.
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald welcomed Trump’s attendance, stating, “Yeah, I think anytime a sitting president wants to come to an event, it just shows how big the Ryder Cup is. You’ve got to see that as a mark of respect. President Trump is obviously a big supporter of golf and he knows a lot of the players this week and has met them before. I think you see it as that, as a mark of respect, that a sitting President wants to support an event when he has a very busy schedule. To find time for that shows something.” American star Scottie Scheffler, who has golfed with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, echoed the sentiment, calling his support “a boost for the team.”
