Donald Trump speaks out on Tiger Woods’ driving ban after golf icon called President from the scene of his Florida crash
President Donald Trump declared Tiger Woods’ plea deal ‘very fair’ after the golf icon was handed a five-year driving ban earlier this week.
Woods pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge Wednesday following a March rollover crash in Florida, where he initially was accused of driving under the influence.
His SUV clipped a truck and rolled over on its side on a beachside residential road near his home on Jupiter Island. A sheriff’s report said deputies found two pain pills in Woods’ pocket and he showed signs of impairment. He did a Breathalyzer test, which came out negative, but refused to take a urine test.
Bodycam footage later emerged showing the extraordinary moment Woods called Trump in the moments after the crash. ‘I was just talking with the President,’ the 15-time major winner could be heard saying.
A reporter asked Trump for his thoughts on Woods’ legal situation in the Oval Office on Thursday and the President declared the outcome ‘very fair’.
He continued: ‘But I think he’s going to have somebody drive him. I told him that a long time ago: ‘Why don’t you get somebody to drive you’
President Donald Trump declared Tiger Woods’ plea deal ‘very fair’ in the Oval Office
Woods appeared puffy-eyed as he left the court alongside doting girlfriend Vanessa Trump
‘So he’s going to have somebody drive him from now on. He’s just a very special guy and I’m glad that was resolved.’
Trump added: ‘It’s a very tough situation because they didn’t find alcohol on him. You know, he didn’t test positive at all for alcohol. It’s a tough deal when you’re taking a painkiller because you’re under pain… and you have a problem and you test positive.’
In the bodycam footage, the golf icon – who is dating Trump’s former daughter-in-law, Vanessa – could be seen in the distance as a police officer repeatedly called after him. The cop approached Woods, urging him to return.
The 15-time major champion appeared to be speaking on the phone when the officer told him: ‘We’ll get you to hang down here with us, please.’
A few moments later, Woods could be heard ending his conversation as he approached the police. ‘Thank you so much – all right, you got it, thank you, bye,’ the 50-year-old says.
Woods, who has a close relationship with Trump and was awarded the Medal of Freedom during his first term, then tells police: ‘I was just talking with the president.’
Before the hearing in Florida’s Martin County on Wednesday, Woods, 50, sat at the defense table looking back at the mostly empty courtroom gallery. He said little as he agreed to the reduced charge and left the courthouse without addressing reporters.
He had arrived with girlfriend Vanessa and the couple was swarmed by photographers before she took her seat behind him during the proceedings.
Woods called Trump in the moments after his shocking car crash in Florida back in March
Woods is a ‘very close friend’ of Trump and was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2019
Woods also pleaded no contest to refusing to submit to testing after the crash
‘Tiger is not absolved of accountability and he surrendered his license for the next five years,’ Mark Steinberg, his longtime manager at Excel Sports told the AP. ‘He is continuing his treatment and prioritizing all aspects of his health.’
The prosecutor in the case said two toxicologists found there was insufficient proof of his impairment and determined Woods had built up a ‘pharmacological’ tolerance after years of using pain pills.
Thomas Bakkedahl, a state attorney, defended his decision to accept the plea, saying, ‘I did what I think is right.’
Prosecutors obtained the golfer’s pharmacy records that showed he had a lawful prescription, Bakkedahl said.
He has had numerous surgeries on his legs and back over the last two decades – some to treat cartilage and ligament damage, a ruptured tendon, arthritis, and damaged discs in his back.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Woods also pleaded no contest to refusing to submit to testing after the crash and was fined $1,500, according to court documents.
A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but means the accused will offer no defense. The plea is treated as a conviction in the criminal justice system.