The partnership between former President Donald Trump and LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed PGA Tour challenger, has been under intense scrutiny from various groups and individuals. Questions have been raised about how much money Trump has earned from hosting LIV tournaments at his golf courses. Forbes claims to have found an answer in a 2022 income statement for Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, which shows a one-time revenue stream labeled “LIV golf event” amounting to $796,744. Despite this, the revenue from LIV events only accounted for a small percentage of Trump’s overall golf portfolio, raising doubts about the significant impact on his income.
While the exact payment made by LIV to Trump for hosting other tournaments at his properties remains unknown, it is believed that he may have generated additional revenue by selling hotel rooms at Trump National Doral in Miami, where LIV Golf has been hosted three times. Trump’s business and campaign representatives did not comment on the financial details, and a spokesperson for LIV declined to provide specific numbers but praised Trump’s New Jersey property for providing a top-notch experience for players and fans. The commercial arrangement between LIV and host venues was not disclosed.
For Trump, hosting LIV tournaments provided significant publicity and fulfilled his long-held ambition of bringing professional golf tournaments to his courses. Doral, acquired by Trump in 2012, lost a PGA Tour event after he announced his presidential campaign in 2016. While Bedminster hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 2017 and was scheduled to host the 2022 men’s PGA Championship before the PGA withdrew in the aftermath of the Capitol riot on Jan. 6. The British Open also made it clear that it would not be held at Trump Turnberry anytime soon.
LIV Golf, backed by Saudi money, stirred controversy by attracting top PGA Tour players with hefty signing bonuses, including Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. This move divided the golf community but allowed Trump to continue luring stars to his courses, even if the financial benefits were minimal. Despite the potential revenue implications, the association with LIV Golf has raised concerns among human-rights groups, families of 9/11 victims, and Democratic politicians, adding to the ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s business dealings post-presidency.
The revelation of the income generated from the first LIV event hosted at Trump’s Bedminster golf club sheds some light on the financial aspects of the partnership. While the amount earned was relatively small compared to Trump’s overall golf revenue, it underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding his post-presidential business ventures. The lack of transparency and clarity surrounding the financial arrangements between Trump and LIV only fuel speculation and scrutiny, further highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in such high-profile partnerships involving political figures like the former president.
