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U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club on Sunday as the U.S. team attempts to erase a 10.5–7.5 deficit against the International side. His weekend schedule — arriving after Saturday’s Texas‑Tennessee game in Knoxville — continues a year in which his appearances at major sports events have become frequent and logistically notable.
At Medinah and on the first tee
The Presidents Cup pits the U.S. against an international team, with 15.5 points required to secure victory; the home side trails by three points entering Sunday. Trump is serving as the event’s honorary captain and will be on site for the final day of competition.
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Organizers arranged a custom, presidential‑themed golf cart for his use, and, according to Golfweek, the president requested a 15‑minute speaking slot at the first tee before play began. Several U.S. players welcomed his presence. Patrick Cantlay said it “is great to have him on our side” and hoped Trump would “get the crowd going,” while Chris Gotterup called the visit “pretty cool.”
Security demands and stadium impact
Secret Service preparations increased across the week, with additional measures implemented for Sunday. The agency’s footprint at arenas and stadiums can be substantial, particularly when the president occupies luxury suites.
High-profile appearances this year have produced visible security effects. Fans entering MetLife Stadium for the FIFA World Cup final faced long screening lines, and the president’s presence has sometimes altered sideline operations. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said earlier this week that headset communications on the sideline are cut when Trump moves within or leaves a stadium; the White House disputes that account.
Costs, logistics and venues
Large sporting events vary in how they absorb the president’s visits. Golf courses pose particular challenges because spectators move across many acres, even though the president typically remains near a central hospitality area. The 2025 Ryder Cup, held at Bethpage Black, received Trump on opening day after heavy security planning.
Security expenses have been notable. The president’s trip to the Daytona 500 in 2025 cost the Secret Service more than $500,000, while the agency spent about $120,000 for his attendance at Super Bowl LIX. Officials have not released a total figure for all sporting events this year.
Trump’s year in sports
Golf has been the most frequent setting for the president’s appearances, often at courses he owns. Media outlets have highlighted a marked increase in his visibility at marquee events, and Fox Sports has labeled him the “Sports President.”
- CFP national championship in Miami, Jan. 19
- PGA Tour’s Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral, May 3
- LIV Golf Virginia, May 9
- NBA Finals Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, June 8
- UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, June 14
- FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, July 19
- LIV Golf New York at Trump Bedminster, Aug. 9
- IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., Aug. 23
- DP World Tour’s Irish Open at Trump Doonbeg, Sept. 13
- Texas‑Tennessee in Knoxville, Sept. 26
- Presidents Cup in Chicago, Sept. 27
Competition disruptions and public reaction
Despite the heavier security and altered operations, most events this year proceeded without delays tied to the president’s attendance. The exception cited from recent years is the 2025 U.S. Open men’s singles final in New York, which did experience disruption.
Public response has been mixed and at times political. An American Research Group poll this week put Trump’s approval at a record‑low 29%, a figure noted as his visibility in sports continues. With roughly three months before 2027, observers say the World Series and primetime NFL games could be among future stops if the pattern continues.
Organizers and endorsements
Event leaders have expressed varying degrees of support for his involvement. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp commented that Trump’s participation “will help elevate the event on the international stage while furthering our mission of bringing people together through the game of golf.”
For hosts and security planners, the calculus remains balancing the promotional boost of a presidential visit against the operational and financial strains it can impose.
