Trump Attends Presidents Cup Golf Tournament at Medinah Country Club

President Donald Trump made a brief appearance and watched players tee off at the Presidents Cup on Sunday. He addressed a large crowd at the Medinah Country Club, which included many dressed in patriotic attire, while protesters were kept at a distance. “These people want to see golf. They don’t want to hear speeches,” he stated before the final round, adding, “Our country is doing great, better than ever before.” This marked Trump’s first public appearance in the Chicago area since his 2024 presidential election victory, coinciding with the anniversary of his administration’s increased immigration enforcement in Chicago known as Operation Midway Blitz.

Trump began his brief speech by criticizing “the fake news media,” predicting they would report negatively on his reception. He highlighted the presence of top golf players, predicting an engaging day of golf. As players commenced their games, Trump stayed on to watch, greeting some as they entered the course. The International team held a lead over the U.S. team at the end of Saturday, needing to win just five of the 12 singles matches on Sunday to claim the cup.

Earlier in the week, global attention was on Trump as he welcomed China’s President Xi Jinping to Washington. He also addressed the United Nations General Assembly, warning of potential action against Iran if a deal was not reached to end a prolonged conflict initiated alongside Israel. Over the weekend, Trump’s focus shifted to leisure, attending a college football game in Tennessee before traveling to the Chicago area on Sunday morning. The Daily Herald estimated that more than 30,000 spectators attended the Presidents Cup daily from Thursday to Sunday.

Previously, Trump had expressed harsh views toward Chicago, notably during last year’s immigration enforcement surge. He used a meme on Truth Social, “Chipocalypse Now,” to emphasize his point, threatening the city with, “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” and adding, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning.” On Sunday, following the lifting of heavy fog in the western suburbs, many cheered Trump from the grandstands around the first tee. Fans sported “Make America Great Again” hats and flag-themed attire as the weather cleared to warm and sunny conditions.

Not all attendees welcomed Trump’s presence. Protesters gathered to express their objection. Alex August, age 26, mentioned a “sense of impending doom” upon hearing of Trump’s planned attendance and had developed an emergency response plan with friends. Sitting nearby, Evan Neilson, also 26 and a teacher, commented on how Trump’s visit could distract from the event itself, reflecting the political divisions in the country.

Trump assumed the role of honorary chairman of the tournament, a position he previously held in 2017 at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey. Former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama also served as honorary chairmen of the event in previous years. The Medinah course, situated in the unincorporated area surrounded by Itasca, Roselle, and Bloomingdale, required substantial preparations for the event. According to the Daily Herald, since April, organizers have constructed 566,000 square feet of temporary facilities to compensate for the club’s limited permanent infrastructure.