Over the weekend, President Donald Trump took a break from the greens to greet some of America's finest — but the encounter left a sour taste for many. After finishing a round at his New Jersey course, the 80-year-old commander-in-chief stopped to chat with U.S. service members, a moment captured on video by his aide, Margo Martin. The footage shows Trump, still in his red "Make America Great Again" cap and white golf glove, shaking hands with the troops.
While the gesture was meant to honor the military, critics were quick to point out a glaring faux pas: Trump never removed his glove or hat during the handshakes. Social media erupted with accusations of disrespect, with one X user calling it "classless" and another asking, "With his golf glove on. How disrespectful."
The backlash wasn't limited to the glove. Many took issue with the hat, noting that proper etiquette dictates removing headwear when greeting others, especially those who have served. "Take off your hat and especially your golf glove when you're shaking hands with anyone, let alone members of the U.S. Military," one commenter wrote.
This isn't the first time Trump's golf course behavior has sparked controversy. Earlier this year, he faced criticism for taking jabs at the struggling Mets during a Braves rally, and his suggestions for NFL rule changes were met with a chorus of "butt out" from fans. But this latest incident hits closer to home, as it involves the military.
The meeting came just days after Trump attended a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, honoring four U.S. service members killed in the Middle East. That solemn occasion stood in stark contrast to the casual golf outing, leading some to question the optics. "He wears his golf shoes and driving glove wherever he goes, I'm guessing…???" one critic mused.
Others speculated that the troops were merely summoned to watch him play. "Lol, looks like he made them go watch him golf," a third user posted. The video, shared by Martin, showed Trump engaging with the soldiers, but the tone of the interaction was overshadowed by the attire.
Golf enthusiasts and etiquette experts weighed in, noting that wearing a glove during a handshake is a breach of basic manners. "It's just classless," one fan said. "Par for the course, no pun intended," added another, referencing Trump's frequent golf outings.
This incident adds to a growing list of Trump's sports-related controversies, from his praise of Shohei Ohtani during the Dodgers' White House visit to his failed bid to bring the World Cup back to the U.S. But for many, the disrespect shown to the troops is a line that shouldn't be crossed.
As the debate rages on, the question remains: Was this a simple oversight or a deliberate snub? Critics argue that a president should know better, especially when honoring those who risk their lives for the country. Supporters, however, may see it as a non-issue, a minor blip in an otherwise well-intentioned gesture.
What do you think about Trump's golf course interaction with U.S. troops? Let us know in the comments below.
