The former President of the United States, Barack Obama, used to enjoy a casual round of golf when he was president, sometimes playing on his own and sometimes using the games as a sort of informal meeting.
Look at him go. He’s beauty, he’s grace, he’s Miss United States.
However, not everyone believed the president should have a chance to relax. Donald Trump, current president of the United States, tweeted about Obama’s golfing habit several times. In fact, he was so upset that he tweeted three times in within eleven days in 2013.
Since his time as president began, Trump has played golf with the prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, and has possibly visited golf courses at his Mar-a-Lago resort twice. The White House has refused to confirm or deny whether or not he played, let alone who he may have played with. He also began his administration by taking the weekend off, although as far as we know he didn’t play any golf then.
Trump criticized Obama for spending time and money on golf that could have been spent elsewhere, which seems ironic now after leaks from the White House about how Trump spends his time and the expense of protecting his family, including Melania in New York. His accusations may have been linked to rumors that Obama’s golfing cost taxpayers $4 million, which Snopes, among industry professionals, proved to be inaccurate.
Before criticizing Obama in 2013, Trump actually tweeted in 2012 that he would like to play golf with him. He also said that Obama should be willing to golf with more Republicans, as it may help with policy decisions and healing the partisan split.
While golf definitely isn’t one of the major issues facing the country presently, it is interesting to see yet another place where Trump has changed his mind since assuming the presidency, especially since Obama is off having fun on vacation in the Caribbean.