Trump critics drag Tiger Woods over Medal of Freedom
Golfer Tiger Woods received the highest US civilian decoration from President Donald Trump, prompting media and Democrats to brand him a Trump crony and dismiss his accomplishments in sports and life.
At the ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on Monday, Trump called Woods a “global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive,” an extraordinary golfer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Anyone associated with the president in any way becomes a target for Trump’s critics, however – including the legendary golfer.
Tiger Woods got the Medal of Freedom for the same reason Mrs. Adelson did: obsequious love of Trump. Not taking from Tiger’s golfing prowess, but sports prowess is NOT a basis for that honor, unless you use your platform to improve democracy & freedom like... say Kaepernick.
— Pam Keith (@PamKeithFL) May 6, 2019
Donald Trump giving Tiger Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom is so absurd it actually makes perfect sense
— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) May 6, 2019
Good grief what is wrong with Tiger Woods? Biggest phony in sports. History will remember the supporters of fascism and destroying the Constitution. Shame on you. https://t.co/WDHsp6Bm5I
— bullsNBAbuckets (@ronawsumb) May 6, 2019
David Dennison: This medal of freedom goes to Tiger Woods for banging strippers and porn stars. Almost as many as me.
— SteelyDan&AWBfan (@awkops) May 6, 2019
Is there anything more slimy than watching Trump award Tiger Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom? I need to go shower.
— Anonymous Fed (@EvilBobJ) May 6, 2019
Woods, now 43, became the first golfer of African-American or Asian heritage to win a Major when he claimed victory at the Masters in 1997.
He has also won a ‘Career Grand Slam’ of all four Majors, at one stage holding the US Open, British Open, PGA Championship, and Masters titles simultaneously.
He hit a rough patch for several years due to personal trouble and injury, but came back to win the Masters last month, prompting Trump to announce he would honor him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Some in the mainstream media, which has spent years accusing Trump of corruption, being an agent of the Kremlin, or both, now insinuated that some kind of money-making scheme was behind the president’s decision to decorate Woods.
President Trump tees up Medal of Freedom for long-time friend Tiger Woods https://t.co/Y7RDTYnaJtpic.twitter.com/RQ6GssgWXn
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 6, 2019
The Medal of Freedom is a unilateral exercise of presidential power. No guidelines for how/why someone should be chosen. Obama gave it to Biden. “But I can’t recall a business partner,” said medal expert Kyle Kopko. “I can’t think of another parallel.” https://t.co/RiSU8ORWdU
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) May 6, 2019
.@realdonaldtrump is giving the pres. medal of freedom to @TigerWoods, who’s a Trump biz partner. Here’s Trump Org’s magazine for 2018. pic.twitter.com/NRFWDTejtl
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) May 2, 2019
Trump is an avid golfer and owns some 17 golf resorts in the US and abroad. He has also bestowed the Medal of Freedom on three other athletes so far: football players Roger Staubach and Alan Page, and baseball legend Babe Ruth.
Woods is the fourth golfer ever to be decorated with the medal, after Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Charles Sifford, the first African-American to play on the PGA Tour. Nicklaus tweeted in support of Woods, as did the PGA.
Heartfelt congrats to @TigerWoods on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom this evening! His impact on golf and his ability to inspire others to play this great game is on par with his incredible talent!
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) May 6, 2019
🏅Arnold Palmer🏅Jack Nicklaus🏅Charlie Sifford🏅Tiger Woods@TigerWoods becomes the fourth golfer to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. pic.twitter.com/i8ASKfABOw
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 6, 2019
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian decoration handed out by the executive branch, and recognizes people who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
