Donald Trump made a dramatic entrance at the Ryder Cup on Friday morning, drawing loud chants of “USA” as he appeared at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
The 45th and 47th U.S President, 79, has remained defiant in the wake of tragedy. Less than a week after attending a memorial for his close ally Charlie Kirk, who was killed during a Q&A session at Utah Valley University, Trump stepped once again into the spotlight.
His arrival came under heightened security, with organizers on alert following fresh safety concerns tied to his recent public appearances. Instead of pulling back from public view, he has doubled down on appearances-this time lending his presence to support Team USA as they began their quest against Europe in the 45th Ryder Cup.
Trump, joined by his 18-year-old granddaughter Kai, boarded Marine One shortly before 10:00 ET on the White House lawn.
Already dressed in his signature suit and golf shoes, Trump landed on Long Island a little over an hour later, just in time for the afternoon session.
At the first tee, the crowd roared as the pair took their seats inside a glass box for the national anthem. Kai, a budding golfer, waving and gesturing to the crowd, stoked the patriotic energy, further fueling the electric atmosphere.
Trump and Bradley fail to light spark under Team USA
For Team USA, Trump’s presence arrived at a critical moment. Captain Keegan Bradley’s squad had stumbled badly in the morning’s foursomes, dropping three of the four matches and trailing 3-1 against Luke Donald’s Europeans.
The atmosphere was already tense when Air Force One soared over Bethpage at approximately 11:05 ET, prompting Bradley to predict a shift in momentum.
“We’ve just had the President fly over on Air Force One, I have a feeling things are about to turn here,” Bradley said on the USA Network broadcast.
The U.S. captain took things further when he performed the “Trump dance”, a distinctive, arm-swinging move Trump popularized on the campaign trail, directly in front of the President at the first tee.
The lighthearted gesture drew cheers and laughter, providing a moment of levity after a bruising start for the Americans.
For Trump, the Ryder Cup appearance came just days after delivering a fiery 60-minute address at the United Nations.
The quick pivot from global politics to the spectacle of golf underscored his ability to command attention in multiple arenas. For the fans at Bethpage, however, Friday was all about the mix of sport, showmanship, and patriotism.
Trump has passion for golf, but USA struggle
Trump’s relationship with golf has always been deeply personal, from owning world-class courses to hosting major tournaments. His visibility at Bethpage Black added another layer to the drama of this year’s Ryder Cup, not least because he was the first sitting U.S President to do so.
Whether his presence can genuinely galvanize Team USA remains to be seen, but one thing was clear: the spectacle was as much about politics and personality as it was about birdies and bogeys.
For Bradley’s Americans, facing the daunting task of clawing back from an early deficit, Trump’s high-profile support may provide the spark they need.
As the matches continued into the afternoon, the energy inside Bethpage Black reflected the intensity of both the golf being played and the presence of one of America’s most polarizing figures at center stage.
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