A resurfaced interview has reignited interest in Arnold Palmer’s true feelings about Donald Trump, revealing that the legendary golfer was far from impressed with the former president. At a recent rally, Trump regaled supporters with stories of Palmer, even making a lewd joke about the golfer’s anatomy during a speech at Latrobe Airport, which is named after Palmer. However, despite Trump’s apparent admiration for the seven-time major winner, it turns out Palmer didn’t share the same fondness.
In a 2018 interview with Sporting News, Palmer’s daughter, Peg Palmer, offered a glimpse into her father’s thoughts during Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016. Though Palmer, a politically conservative figure who was friends with Dwight D. Eisenhower, initially supported the Republican Party, he became increasingly disillusioned with Trump’s behavior and rhetoric. According to Peg, the golf icon, who passed away in 2016, saw a side of Trump during the campaign that he found deeply troubling.
“My dad didn’t like people who act like they’re better than others,” Peg Palmer explained. “He had no patience for dishonesty or cheating, and he was appalled by Trump’s lack of civility and what he began to see as his lack of character.”
Peg recalled one particular moment when her father watched Trump on television during the 2016 election campaign. As Trump spoke, Arnold Palmer reportedly made a noise of disgust — “uck” or “ugg” — and remarked that Trump “wasn’t as smart as we thought he was.” The once-revered businessman-turned-politician left a bitter taste in the mouth of a man known for his grace, discipline, and integrity, traits Palmer believed Trump sorely lacked.
Reflecting on how her father would feel about Trump today, Peg Palmer didn’t hold back: “I think he’d cringe,” she said, imagining her father’s reaction to the continued rise of Trump’s political career. For a man who prided himself on being a positive role model, Palmer would have been dismayed by Trump’s divisive and inflammatory behavior.
The comments come at a time when Trump continues to drum up support, particularly in Pennsylvania, Palmer’s home state. While Trump proudly boasted of his connections to the golf legend, the resurfaced interview paints a starkly different picture of the relationship.
Adding fuel to the fire, the rally also saw former NFL star Antonio Brown take the stage, riling up Trump’s supporters. Brown, known for his outspoken personality, mocked the “crazy” media and took aim at Kamala Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver compared his own unlikely rise in the NFL to Trump’s ascent to the presidency, further whipping up the crowd.
As Trump continues his Pennsylvania tour, set to make stops at a McDonald’s fry station near Philadelphia and attend a Pittsburgh Steelers game, the legacy of Arnold Palmer serves as a quiet reminder that not all American icons share his admiration. The story of Palmer’s distaste for Trump’s lack of character adds yet another dimension to the complex and often controversial figure of the former president. While Trump may still have legions of fans, it’s clear that some of the most respected figures in American history, like Arnold Palmer, were not among them.
