The eye-watering cost of Donald Trump’s Ryder Cup visit this weekend has been revealed, with US taxpayers set to foot the huge bill.
Trump is expected to attend Bethpage Black for the 2025 event this weekend as Team USA look to wrestle the Ryder Cup back from Team Europe.
The Europeans, who will once again be captained by Luke Donald, claimed a 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome back in 2023.
Keegan Bradley is the man tasked with captaining Team USA to victory in New York, and is the youngest Ryder Cup captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
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Bradley will hope to lead his team to glory in front of Trump, who is no stranger to sporting events this year.
The polarising President was in attendance for the Super Bowl in February, the Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG in July, and again at the US Open men’s final, which was contested between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Trump’s visit to Long Island has prompted concerns over potential delays, with the US Open final at Flushing Meadows pushed back by 37 minutes owing to additional security checks.
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Lengthy queues to get into Arthur Ashe Stadium meant some spectators missed the start of the US Open final, and, to some, Trump was to blame, with the 79-year-old jeered when he was shown on the giant screens.
How much will Donald Trump's Ryder Cup appearance cost?
Ryder Cup officials are worried about a repeat this weekend and while Trump has delayed his arrival for the afternoon session, the cost of his visit to Bethpage Black is expected to exceed £12m - a bill which will be footed by the US taxpayer - and could represent the largest bill in the sport’s history.
And according to Golf365, Trump’s love of golf has reportedly cost the US taxpayer over £53m since his return to the Oval Office.
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A personal trip to one of his Scottish golf courses cost local police forces £3.2m, half of which was allocated to overtime.
Trump’s Super Bowl appearance is said to have cost £14.8m, while his brief trip to New York for the US Open final supposedly cost £6m.
Even with the added pressure of playing front of the 45th and 47th US President, Team Europe captain Donald has suggested that Trump’s presence actually benefits the competition.
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"I think that you have to respect the Office and the fact that he wants to come and show support is a good thing. He loves golf is all I'm going to say,” Donald said in the build up.
US Captain Bradley is also excited about Trump’s attendance, adding: “I think this is going to be a sporting event to remember across any sport. Then you add on the president of the United States standing there, I really think it's going to be something that everyone will remember forever.”
The 2025 Ryder Cup kicks off with the foursomes session, which begins at 12:10pm (GMT) on Friday September 26.
Topics: Donald Trump, Golf, Ryder Cup
Ben McAleer