Former President Donald Trump sparked controversy with unusual and vulgar remarks about the late golf legend Arnold Palmer during a campaign rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The comments, delivered at a rally held at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, have drawn attention and criticism as the election season intensifies.
Trump, speaking in Palmer’s hometown of Latrobe, initially praised the golf icon. “He was an incredible man, he was an incredible champion, and he came from Latrobe,” Trump stated, acknowledging Palmer’s local roots and legendary status.
However, the tone shifted abruptly as Trump recounted an anecdote, venturing into explicit territory. “This is a guy that was all man,” Trump continued. “This man was strong and tough, and I refuse to say it, but when he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there, they said, ‘Oh my God, that’s unbelievable.'” He then added, to audience laughter, “I had to say it.”
Trump himself noted the repetitive nature of his storytelling, mentioning he had shared Palmer anecdotes in Latrobe previously, but “not in this kind of detail.”
The remarks stand in stark contrast to the legacy of Arnold Palmer, a beloved figure known for his sportsmanship and widespread appeal. Adding another layer to the controversy, resurfaced comments from Palmer’s daughter, Peg Palmer Wears, highlight the golfer’s likely disapproval of Trump. In 2018, she stated her father, a conservative who passed away in 2016, would have been “appalled” by Donald Trump. She reiterated this sentiment to the Associated Press on Sunday, expressing she was “not really upset” by Trump’s recent comment but noted, “I think Trump seems to be fairly obsessed with these things, just like crowd size.” She further elaborated to Inside Edition, suggesting Trump’s focus on such matters is a recurring pattern.
Beyond the Palmer comments, Trump’s rally speech included further instances of strong language. He led the crowd in an expletive-laden call-and-response criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s policies. He also directed harsh words towards Vice President Kamala Harris, using derogatory terms and asserting, “You’re the worst vice president. Kamala, you’re fired.”
In the wake of these remarks, House Speaker Mike Johnson, when questioned on CNN’s “State of the Union” about Trump’s Arnold Palmer comments, deflected the topic. Johnson shifted the focus to Vice President Harris’ record, urging to “put the rhetoric aside” and prioritize policy discussions over personalities.
Meanwhile, Vice President Harris has recently raised concerns about Trump’s mental fitness for office. On Saturday, coinciding with Trump’s rally, she told reporters that Trump is “becoming increasingly unstable and unhinged,” suggesting a pattern of concerning behavior visible to the public.
The rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and particularly Trump’s unexpected and vulgar comments about Arnold Palmer, underscore the escalating rhetoric as the election approaches. The reactions, ranging from Palmer’s daughter’s subdued disappointment to political figures deflecting or criticizing, highlight the divisive nature of Trump’s communication style and its continued impact on the political landscape.
