President Donald Trump is publicly backing golf legend Tiger Woods following a high-profile rollover crash and subsequent DUI arrest in late February. In a Tuesday interview, the president attributed the incident to Woods’ grueling history of physical injuries rather than substance abuse, describing the athlete as a man living in a “life of pain.”
The 15-time major champion was arrested on February 27 after deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office discovered his overturned SUV near Jupiter Island. While Woods, 50, passed an on-scene breathalyzer test, investigators noted significant signs of impairment, including “extremely dilated” pupils and “bloodshot” eyes.
“I think he’s doing great,” Trump told the New York Post on March 31. “He tested negative for alcohol, as you know, and he is under a tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments—the back and the leg.”
According to a probable cause affidavit, Woods informed responding officers that he had undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his leg. When questioned about prescription medications at the scene, Woods reportedly admitted, “I take a few.”
Search records indicate deputies discovered two hydrocodone pills in the golfer’s pocket. Despite his performance during field sobriety exercises, Woods reportedly refused to consent to a urinalysis to check for additional narcotics or medications.
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“He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain,” Trump added, emphasizing Woods’ status as an “amazing athlete” despite his physical struggles.
The incident carries personal weight for the president, as Woods is currently in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. Sources close to the family indicate that while Donald Jr. remains supportive of the couple, the arrest has sparked internal concerns regarding the safety of the five children he shares with Vanessa.
“Don Jr. knows Vanessa can make her own decisions, but they’re a team when it comes to coparenting,” a source stated, noting that the president’s son is “thankful” the children were not in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Despite a history of vehicular incidents, Woods remains resistant to employing a professional driver. Sources close to the golfer suggest his desire for privacy outweighs safety concerns.
“He doesn’t want anyone to watch over him or know what he is doing,” a local source said, adding that Woods “despises public scrutiny” and maintains a belief that he is fit to operate a vehicle.
Woods has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the pending charges.
