Former President Donald Trump arrives for the pro-am at the Bedminster Invitational LIV Golf tournament in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
Images taken on Thursday show Trump participating in the pro-am LIV Golf event in the summer heat.
Trump played alongside his son, Eric, and LIV golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.
The ex-president has been vocal about his support for the new golf league funded by Saudi investors.
Photos taken Thursday morning show former President Donald Trump participating in the LIV Golf pro-am at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.Trump tees off in the pro-am round of the Bedminster Invitational LIV Golf tournament on Thursday.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Trump played in the summer heat alongside his son, Eric, and professional LIV golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.Golfers Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, and Trump, left to right, look on during the pro-am round on Thursday.
Seth Wenig/AP Photo
The president, who’s an avid fan of the sport, has made several statements in support of the newly-founded LIV Golf tour, which is financed by Saudi Arabian backers.Yasir Al-Rumayyan, left, a governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is financing the LIV Golf series, Trump, center, and his son Eric Trump, at Bedminster on Thursday.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he said that the tournament has been a wonderful investment for the country, bringing in lots of publicity.Trump speaks with LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman on the driving range.
Tyler Lauletta / Insider
Source: Wall Street Journal
“I think LIV has been a great thing for Saudi Arabia, for the image of Saudi Arabia,” Trump told the Journal. “I think it’s going to be an incredible investment from that standpoint, and that’s more valuable than lots of other things because you can’t buy that — even with billions of dollars.”Trump arrives for the pro-am at Bedminster on Thursday.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Source: Wall Street Journal
LIV Golf has faced significant criticism from advocacy groups that claim the new league is akin to “sportswashing,” and that the Saudi government is attempting to launder its image and reputation with the new golf league.Trump reacts to his tee shot on the fourth hole during the pro-am round at Bedminster on Thursday.
AP Photo/S
The National Press Club chastised LIV Golf and Trump in a statement.Trump tosses a ball after playing the second hole in the pro-am round at Bedminster on Thursday.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
“That the tournament is being held at a course owned by former President Trump is, if possible, even more revolting,” the statement reads. “It reminds us that the former President bragged of distracting Congress from the murder, delaying the release of the final U.S. government report that concluded MBS, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (and recipient of the fist-bump from President Biden) was most likely involved in planning and approving Jamal’s murder.”
Families of 9/11 survivors also called on Trump to cancel the event. On Thursday, the former president told ESPN: “Nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately, and they should have, as to the maniacs that did that horrible thing.”Trump talks to golf fans during the pro-am round at Bedminster on Thursday.
Seth Wenig/AP Photos
As Insider’s John Haltiwanger pointed out, 15 of the 19 hijackers involved in the 2001 terrorist attacks were Saudi nationals. Though the Saudi government has said it wasn’t involved in the attacks, some victims’ family members suggested otherwise.
Two of 12 of LIV Golf’s events are set to be held at Trump properties, including this week in Bedminster and an October event in Miami.Trump plays in the pro-am round at Bedminster on Thursday.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
DeChambeau praised Trump in an interview with Golfweek. “I mean, anytime you get to play with a president, whether passed or sitting, it’s just an honor, no matter who it is. Very lucky to have a relationship with him, and he’s always been generous to me.”Trump speaks with Bryson DeChambeau on the driving range.
Tyler Lauletta / Insider
Source: Golfweek
A fleet of golf carts, some packed with Secret Service members, followed Trump wherever he went.Several golf carts scramble across the fairway at Bedminster on Thursday.
Tyler Lauletta / Insider
Read more: Golfing with Trump requires a lot of golf carts
Trump’s golf cart featured the presidential seal and his golf bag was red, white, and blue.Former President Trump’s golf bag.
Tyler Lauletta / Insider
His golf towel also shows the presidential seal and his signature.The towel on former President Trump’s golf bag.
Tyler Lauletta / Insider
All in all, it was a lively day for the 76-year-old former president.Former President Trump sits in his golf cart before heading to the driving range.
Tyler Lauletta / Insider
