President Trump on Wednesday offered his public endorsement of the plea agreement reached in Tiger Woods's March DUI case, calling the Florida court's decision to reduce the charges against the golf icon 'very fair.' The deal, which spares Woods jail time, was the subject of a reporter's question during an Oval Office session.
The agreement lowers Woods's DUI charge to reckless driving and a separate count of failing to submit to a sobriety test. In exchange, Woods will face a five-year license suspension and a fine. Trump, who has known Woods for years, said the arrangement struck him as just, adding that he had long advised the golfer to arrange for a driver.
'I thought it was very fair,' Trump told reporters. 'But I think he's going to have somebody drive him. I told him that a long time. Why don't you get somebody to drive you? So he's going to have somebody drive him from now on.'
The president also highlighted the circumstances surrounding Woods's arrest, noting that alcohol was not detected in his system. Woods was found with hydrocodone, a prescription opioid, following the March crash in Jupiter, Florida, where he struck a pickup truck and flipped his SUV. 'It's a very tough situation because they didn't find alcohol on him,' Trump said. 'You know, he didn't test positive at all for alcohol ... It's a tough deal when you're taking a painkiller because you're under pain ... and you have a problem and you test positive.'
Woods entered a no-contest plea on Wednesday to the reckless driving charge and the sobriety test violation. Police body camera footage from the incident showed Woods on the ground, telling officers he had called Trump after the crash. The golfer's legal troubles are not new; he has been involved in four car crashes since turning professional, some leading to DUI arrests. His career has also been marred by personal scandals, including a highly publicized extramarital affair.
The relationship between Trump and Woods has been longstanding. In March 2025, Woods began dating Vanessa Trump, the president's former daughter-in-law. During his first term, Trump awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The president's comments come as he navigates a range of political pressures, including concerns about the GOP's Senate majority and meetings with travel industry leaders.
Woods announced in April that he would seek treatment following his arrest, a move Trump then praised as 'a good thing.' The president's latest remarks suggest he continues to view Woods's situation with sympathy, framing it as a consequence of pain management rather than recklessness.
Legal experts note that the plea deal is typical for first-time offenders in Florida, especially when alcohol is not involved. However, the case has drawn significant media attention given Woods's celebrity status and his ties to the White House. The president's comments, made from the Oval Office, underscore his willingness to weigh in on high-profile legal matters involving allies.
As Woods moves forward, the terms of his probation and license suspension will require him to adhere to strict conditions. The golfer has not publicly commented on the plea, but his legal team has indicated he is focused on rehabilitation and returning to the sport.
