Donald Trump Faces 'Cheating' Allegations in Golf From Oscar De La Hoya
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya's decade-old allegations of Donald Trump cheating during a round of golf have resurfaced this week, reigniting widespread debate about the former President's sportsmanship.
Golfing circles are once again buzzing with controversy as boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya's explosive accusations of Donald Trump cheating on the links have resurfaced. The claims, which date back to a 2016 interview, detail alleged instances of the former President bending the rules during a round of golf, drawing renewed attention and commentary on social media and news outlets this week. US President Donald Trump Names New England Patriots, New York Giants, and Los Angeles Rams as Top Super Bowl Contenders.
De La Hoya, known as 'The Golden Boy' in his illustrious boxing career, originally aired his grievances in May 2016, recounting a memorable, albeit frustrating, game at Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles.
The Allegations Unpacked
According to De La Hoya, Trump's alleged transgressions were numerous and blatant. The boxing great vividly described how Trump, an avid golfer who owns multiple courses, joined his group and quickly began to flout golf's unwritten rules of integrity.
Key accusations from De La Hoya include:
- Ball Movement: De La Hoya claimed to have witnessed Trump moving his golf ball from unfavorable positions, specifically from the rough directly into the fairway.
- Uncounted Strokes: Another significant allegation was that Trump failed to count shots that landed in water hazards, effectively giving himself a more favorable score.
- Speedy Recovery: De La Hoya also suggested that Trump utilized a faster golf cart to race ahead of his playing partners, allowing him time and distance to reposition his ball before others arrived.
“It was unbelievable,” De La Hoya told the Associated Press in 2016, adding that the incident “shows something about his character.”
Donald Trump's Rebuttal
Donald Trump, then a presidential candidate, swiftly denied De La Hoya's claims. In a statement released shortly after the initial accusations, Trump not only refuted the cheating allegations but also asserted that he had never even played a round of golf with De La Hoya.
“Not only didn’t I cheat, I didn’t play with him,” Trump stated, dismissing De La Hoya's comments as an attempt to sell tickets for an upcoming boxing match he was promoting. He emphasized his respect for the game and his own golfing prowess, citing numerous club championships won at his properties.
A Recurring Theme
De La Hoya is not the only public figure to accuse Trump of golf course impropriety. Over the years, other personalities including actor Samuel L. Jackson and sportswriter Rick Reilly, author of 'Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump,' have made similar claims. World News | 'Announce Us Next Time, Another Country After That...': Trump Wants US to Host Another FIFA World Cup.
These recurring allegations often paint a picture of a fiercely competitive player willing to bend or break rules to win, a trait some critics argue reflects a broader aspect of his public persona. The resurfacing of De La Hoya's claims serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Donald Trump's approach to the gentleman's game.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2026 02:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).