Trump defends Woods after court appearance
Donald Trump has offered a forceful defence of Tiger Woods after the 15-time major champion resolved a criminal case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida. Woods accepted a plea agreement that will prevent him from driving for five years, but he avoided a conviction for driving under the influence. The president described the outcome as fair and portrayed the golfer as someone dealing with the lasting physical consequences of a long and punishing career.
According to Sean James of Mediaite, Trump told reporters at the White House: “I thought it was very fair.” He then revealed that he had previously encouraged Woods to hire somebody to drive him. “I told him that a long time ago,” Trump said, before recalling that he had asked Woods why he did not let someone else take the wheel.
The intervention was more personal than political. Trump called Woods “a great guy” and referred to the severe pain the golfer has endured following numerous injuries and operations. He also claimed that Woods had received treatment from a “bad doctor,” although there is no publicly established finding that any doctor acted negligently in the case.
The charges against Woods were reduced
Woods appeared at Martin County Courthouse in Florida and entered a no-contest plea to amended charges arising from the March 27 crash. According to Emily Shapiro’s report for ABC News, the original charge of driving under the influence with property damage was reduced to reckless driving as a second offence. A second charge connected to his refusal to provide a sample was resolved alongside a careless-driving citation.
The court suspended both driving privileges concurrently, meaning Woods will be unable to drive for a total of five years. Judge Darren Steele made it clear that the restriction was imposed to protect the public and warned Woods: “There are no exceptions. If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would go immediately back to jail.” Woods also agreed not to apply for a hardship exemption that might otherwise have allowed limited driving.
The crash happened as Woods attempted to pass a truck pulling a trailer on a narrow road near his home on Jupiter Island. His Land Rover struck the trailer before leaving the road and overturning, although neither Woods nor anybody else was injured. Officers said Woods displayed possible signs of impairment, but a breath test found no alcohol in his system.
Prosecutors faced problems proving impairment
As described by Court TV’s account of the hearing, prosecutors acknowledged that there had been a “significant erosion of evidence” since the original charges were filed. Two toxicologists concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Woods had been impaired. His long history of back and leg injuries also made the roadside sobriety tests less reliable because those injuries have affected his balance and movement.
Deputies found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ pocket, but medical records showed that he had a valid prescription for the medication. Woods refused to provide a urine sample, meaning investigators were unable to establish precisely what was in his bloodstream at the time of the collision. Trump’s suggestion that prescription painkillers explained the incident therefore remains an interpretation rather than a conclusion established by a drug test or the court.
According to The Guardian’s detailed report on the case, Woods told investigators that he had taken several medications earlier that day, including Vicodin, ibuprofen and medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. He also admitted looking at his phone to change the radio station shortly before the collision. Days after his arrest, Woods announced that he would step away from golf to seek treatment and focus on his health.
A friendship stretching beyond the golf course
Trump’s decision to speak publicly is particularly notable because his relationship with Woods stretches back many years. In 2019, Trump presented the golfer with the Presidential Medal of Freedom following his remarkable Masters victory at Augusta National. According to the official White House transcript of the ceremony, Trump described Woods as “one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports.”
The personal connection has since become even closer because Woods is in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. She accompanied the golfer to court and was photographed entering and leaving the building alongside him. During the investigation, Woods was also recorded telling an officer that he had just been speaking with “the president,” and Trump later confirmed that the pair had spoken after the crash.
Woods remains one of the most decorated golfers in history, with 15 major championships and a record-equalling 82 PGA Tour victories. However, repeated operations, chronic pain and serious injuries have reduced his competitive appearances considerably, and he has not played an official PGA Tour event since 2024. Trump’s remarks have now placed their friendship at the centre of another difficult chapter in Woods’ life, this time far away from the golf course.
Read also: Tiger Woods can't drive for five years. The golf cart question has Florida officials stumped
