England captain Harry Kane confirmed on July 6 that he played golf with former US President Donald Trump approximately 18 months prior. Kane described the experience as "surreal" and praised Trump's golfing skills ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway.
Details of the Golf Game with Trump
Kane's round of golf took place in Palm Beach, Florida, while he was on a winter break from his club, Bayern Munich. He stated, "I played all right, to be honest. When the president invites you somewhere, it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him." Kane, who plays to a 3 handicap, expressed admiration for Trump's game, saying, "His golf’s pretty good, to be honest with you. I hope I can play golf as good as him when I’m his age, that’s for sure."
Public Reaction and Backlash
Kane's admission has sparked a backlash on social media, with critics questioning his choice to associate with Trump. Writer Musa Okwonga commented, "Bleak, bleak. You don’t just pal around with someone like that." Political scientist Jules Boykoff added humorously that Kane might be tempting fate by golfing with Trump, referencing the president's previous appearance at an NBA finals game.
- Trump's Comments: Trump praised Kane on social media after England's victory over Mexico, stating, "Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!"
- Criticism from Fans: Some fans argued that rival players like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland would have declined the invitation to play with Trump.
England's World Cup Aspirations
As England prepares for its quarter-final match against Norway, the team aims to end a 60-year drought since winning its only World Cup in 1966. Kane's golfing experience with Trump has overshadowed some of the team's preparations, drawing attention from both fans and critics alike.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Guardian Sport. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
