President Donald Trump responded to Team Europe taunting him following their Ryder Cup victory against the United States.
The president reposted a video of European players holding the trophy while mockingly chanting: “Are you watching, Donald Trump?”
The video appeared to have been filmed by Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, one of the sport’s biggest names, with other members of Team Europe visible behind him.
The U.S. president took to Truth Social to respond to the video: “Yes, I’m watching. Congratulations!”
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Why It Matters
Trump appeared to take Team Europe’s video in jest, with the president known to be a fan of McIlroy and the pair having played a private round together earlier this year.
The tournament had been marked by some hostile fan behavior, as some American spectators booed and jeered the European team.
What To Know
The European team clinched the win in a 15-13 golf showdown which took place at Bethpage Black Course in New York.
Some Team Europe fans had also chanted “Are you watching, Donald Trump?” as they accepted their trophy, with McIlroy and fellow golfer Shane Lowry appearing to laugh along.
The president, who is an avid golf fan, had stopped by the course on Friday, the first day of the competition.
His appearance was met with cheers from the American crowd, who chanted his name.
The competition was marred by some hostile fan behavior, with McIlroy on several occasions stepping away from the ball amid boos and obscenities being shouted at him from the audience. His wife, Erica, also had a drink thrown on her by a spectator.
McIlroy later called out “language that was unacceptable and abusive behavior.”
The Northern Irish golfer and the U.S. president have generally appeared to share a relationship of mutual respect, with Trump frequently praising McIlroy and the two having played a private round together at Trump’s Palm Beach course a few days before the president’s inauguration.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the president’s decision to attend the Ryder Cup in the midst of a looming federal government shutdown.
“He doesn’t have the time to meet with Democratic leaders to fund the government and address the Republican health care crisis, but Donald Trump, right now, as we speak, is at a golf event,” Jeffries said during a news conference.
What People Are Saying
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy said in a news conference: “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.
“This should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup. But, we will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable. Come and support your home team.”
What Happens Next
The next Ryder Cup will be hosted in Ireland in 2027.