Trump's "Very, Very Happy" LIV Golfers Prediction Faces Reality Check
US President Donald Trump February 13 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump talks with reporters as he and first lady Melania Trump leave the White House on February 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Fort Bragg in North Carolina to visit Special Operations troops who were involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro before continuing to his private Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, for the weekend. Washington DC District Of Columbia United States Copyright: xMehmetxEserx
US President Donald Trump February 13 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump talks with reporters as he and first lady Melania Trump leave the White House on February 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Fort Bragg in North Carolina to visit Special Operations troops who were involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro before continuing to his private Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, for the weekend. Washington DC District Of Columbia United States Copyright: xMehmetxEserx
Donald Trump predicted the future of professional golf. What he said felt more like a warning and a reminder.
In February 2026, during an interview at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, the U.S. president spoke positively about the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour. He said the players were doing very well and were happy.
"The LIV golfers are very, very happy," "They've done a lot of good things," Trump said.
"And they're fantastic people, and they're very happy."
News Themen der Woche KW21 News Bilder des Tages STERLING, VA - MAY 25: Former US President Donald Trump seen golfing at Trump National Golf Club Washington DC in Sterling, Virginia on May 25, 2023. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA Copyright: xmpi34x
News Themen der Woche KW21 News Bilder des Tages STERLING, VA - MAY 25: Former US President Donald Trump seen golfing at Trump National Golf Club Washington DC in Sterling, Virginia on May 25, 2023. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA Copyright: xmpi34x
He said the players were financially secure and praised the new ideas the league had introduced to professional golf.
"They've got unlimited funding. That I can tell you," Trump said about the LIV's financial backing.
"Even the guys that want to play with the tour, they come to Saudi Arabia for the money. You know, it's like they've definitely shaken stuff up for sure."
Trump made those comments when LIV Golf was still trying to prove it could seriously compete with the PGA Tour. He kept coming back to a few main points.
The league had deep pockets, Saudi money was convincing even longtime PGA Tour loyalists to switch sides, and the new touches like music playing on the course were making golf feel more fun and watchable.
Not Everyone Got the Memo That They Were Supposed to Be Happy
The idea that LIV players were “happy” wasn’t made up. Cameron Smith told reporters he had no interest in leaving. Phil Mickelson said he was enjoying himself and supported Koepka’s personal decision, while making it clear he wasn’t planning to follow.
And DeChambeau? He won the 2024 U.S. Open while playing most of his golf on LIV.
Trump had even singled him out in the interview, praising a 60-yard sand shot and saying it might be one of the five greatest shots ever. On that point, at least, the results supported the praise.
But one major win doesn’t end the bigger debate. The divide between LIV and the PGA Tour remains one of golf’s most heated issues, particularly around whether players who left should be welcomed back and under what conditions.
If everyone at LIV were truly content, those questions likely wouldn’t still be looming over the sport.
What do you think about Trump's words? Let us know below.
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Kalp Thaker