President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had previously advised Tiger Woods to hire a personal driver after the golfer’s driver’s license was suspended as part of a plea agreement in a Florida crash case.
Trump’s remarks follow Woods’ no-contest plea deal, which resolved charges stemming from a March rollover crash. Woods pleaded no contest to willful, wanton reckless driving (second offense) and careless driving in exchange for reduced penalties. His license was suspended for five years as part of the agreement.
The president, who has described a personal relationship with Woods, told reporters in the Oval Office that he had long encouraged the golfer to use a driver. “I think he’s going to have somebody drive him. I told him that a long time ago. Why don’t you get somebody to drive you? So he’s going to have somebody drive him from now on,” Trump said. “He’s just a very special guy. I’m glad. I’m glad that was resolved.”
Woods’ crash and legal resolution
On March 29, Woods was traveling at high speed on Jupiter Island when his Land Rover clipped a truck and rolled onto its side. He exited the vehicle without injury and initially told deputies he had no recollection of the crash. Prosecutors later filed DUI and refusal-to-test charges, to which Woods pleaded not guilty at first.
Under the plea deal, Woods avoided a trial and the original DUI charge was reduced. The agreement also included no jail time, though Woods was sentenced to one year of probation, 200 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine. His legal team confirmed the resolution was reached to avoid prolonged litigation.
Trump cites Woods’ back pain in remarks
In separate comments to Fox News, Trump described Woods as suffering from “great pain” due to persistent back issues, which he linked to a prior surgery. “He didn’t test positive at all for alcohol,” Trump said. “But because of his horrible back – he had, my opinion, a bad doctor – but he had a back operation that did not work out well. And he is under pain.”
The president suggested Woods’ use of prescription painkillers, taken for medical reasons, may have contributed to the incident. “It’s a tough deal when you’re taking a painkiller because you’re under pain and tremendous pain and you have a problem and you test positive,” Trump said. “He would have told him that.”
Woods’ public response
Woods has not publicly addressed Trump’s comments but issued a statement after the plea deal expressing gratitude for support during a difficult period. His legal team emphasized the resolution was made to move forward and expressed confidence in his ongoing recovery from multiple back surgeries.
The case has drawn attention to the intersection of medical treatment, prescription medication, and traffic enforcement, with legal experts noting that pain management can complicate DUI prosecutions.