What began as a festive holiday gathering at the White House quickly drifted into political territory on Sunday, thanks to an unscripted appearance by one of Donald Trump’s most recognizable sporting allies.
In front of a holiday crowd, LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau delivered a glowing endorsement of the president’s economic record — and didn’t hold back.
DeChambeau Delivers High Praise for Trump’s Economy
Pulled onto the stage without warning, DeChambeau told attendees he hadn’t planned to speak, but once the microphone was in his hand, he made his feelings clear.
According to the two-time US Open winner, the current economy under Trump stands above all others he’s lived through.
He described it flatly as “the greatest economy we ever had,” echoing claims the president himself has repeatedly made online.
A Backdrop of Mixed Economic Signals
The timing of DeChambeau’s remarks raised eyebrows.
Just days earlier, Trump had voiced frustration on social media over what he felt was a lack of recognition for his economic achievements. Meanwhile, public confidence appears shaky.
A recent Associated Press-NORC poll shows only 31 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy during his second term.
Inflation Steady While Jobs Picture Shifts
Inflation currently sits at 3 percent — the same level Trump inherited when he returned to office amid criticism of Joe Biden’s economic stewardship.
However, the job market has cooled. Once-strong employment numbers under Biden have given way to higher unemployment, now at 4.4 percent, adding to voter unease about where things are headed.
From Golf Defection to Presidential Praise
DeChambeau, who made headlines in 2022 by leaving the PGA Tour for Saudi-backed LIV Golf on a reported four-year, $125 million deal, framed his comments as personal conviction rather than politics.
He praised Trump’s leadership and said serving on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition had been a personal honor.
An Awkward Compliment Steals the Spotlight
The speech took a slightly uncomfortable turn when DeChambeau shifted his attention to First Lady Melania Trump, complimenting her appearance before raising a toast to the economy.
The moment drew a mix of chuckles and secondhand embarrassment from viewers watching online.
Online Critics Push Back Hard
Outside the White House gates, reaction was far less warm.
Social media users were quick to note that glowing economic praise often seems to come from those insulated from rising costs.
Several critics pointed out that prices for everyday goods have climbed steadily since January, making DeChambeau’s remarks ring hollow for many households.
Sarcasm and Skepticism Flood Social Media
Others mocked the golfer’s sudden role as an economic authority.
Sarcastic posts questioned why anyone would look to a professional athlete — millionaire or not — for insight into inflation, job growth, trade policy, or deficit spending.
The backlash underscored just how divided public sentiment remains.
Talk Shifts Back to the Fairway
Eventually, the conversation moved away from economics and into safer territory.
DeChambeau praised Trump’s golf game, claiming the president’s iron play and putting had improved significantly.
He went even further, calling Trump not just a great golfer, but a “better human being,” and said Americans were lucky to have him in the Oval Office.
Politics, Golf, and Public Perception Collide
The episode served as a reminder that at Trump’s White House, sports, politics, and personality often blur together.
For supporters, DeChambeau’s comments reinforced the president’s economic narrative.
For critics, they highlighted the growing disconnect between official praise and everyday reality — a divide that shows no sign of narrowing anytime soon.
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