A resurfaced video of Donald Trump’s caddie allegedly placing a ball for him mid-round has reignited decades-old accusations of cheating and sparked outrage over a reported chokehold incident tied to the same staffer.

At a Glance

• Viral video shows Trump’s caddie dropping a golf ball ahead of his shot
• Critics cite the act as clear cheating; others argue it was a legitimate drop
• CBS mocked the incident while California officials publicly trolled Trump
• Trump’s caddie previously used a chokehold on a critic in 2017
• Trump has long faced accusations of habitual rule-breaking in golf

Another Hole, Another Headline

The footage, captured at Trump Turnberry in Scotland, appears to show a caddie dropping a ball near a bunker just before Trump steps up to swing. The clip instantly exploded online, fueling outrage from sports commentators and political opponents alike. Trump critics claimed the video proves a pattern of rule manipulation, while some supporters insisted it was a standard lost-ball drop.

Yet, as former President Trump walked toward the conveniently placed ball, many viewers saw what CBS Mornings called a “suspiciously perfect lie.” The caddie’s timing and discretion—executing the drop before Trump’s arrival—only deepened public skepticism.

Watch now: Cheater‑In‑Chief: Watch Trump ‘Caught Cheating’ In Scotland · YouTube

Chokehold Flashback Fuels Fire

The controversy flared further when reports resurfaced about the same caddie’s violent conduct in 2017. According to witnesses, the Trump loyalist tackled a fellow caddie into a military-style chokehold after overhearing derogatory remarks about his boss. This altercation, while not widely reported at the time, gained renewed scrutiny as the caddie’s behavior again attracted public attention.

Golf insiders note that this isn’t the first time Trump’s entourage has stirred controversy on the course. In past rounds, caddies have reportedly interfered with ball placement or kept score in Trump’s favor, creating a long-running narrative of performance inflation.

The Cheater’s Playbook?

The new incident mirrors many previously documented claims, including those collected in the 2019 book Commander in Cheat, which detailed firsthand accounts of Trump allegedly fudging scorecards, granting himself extra strokes, and using provisional balls far beyond the rules.

Public figures like Samuel L. Jackson and Alice Cooper have each claimed Trump cheated when they played with him—accusations the former president has consistently denied. However, this latest footage seems to validate long-standing suspicions, intensifying the public backlash.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office reposted the clip with the sarcastic caption, “Rigging the game. We’re shocked!”—echoing broader concerns about Trump’s perceived disregard for rules, whether in golf or governance.

Sport or Spectacle?

Golf’s reputation as a sport rooted in honor and self-enforcement makes any perception of cheating particularly toxic. Dame Laura Davies, a Hall of Famer, has previously warned that bending rules at high-profile levels undermines golf’s credibility, especially as it tries to attract younger, more diverse players.

Meanwhile, Trump’s defenders maintain that the focus on such incidents is politically motivated. Nonetheless, optics matter—especially when cameras catch what looks like manipulation in real-time.

Whether or not the ball drop violated formal rules, it’s clear that perception has again collided with politics on the green. And as the past reemerges in viral headlines, the line between game and grift remains blurred.