President Donald Trump has offered his perspective on Tiger Woods' recent plea agreement stemming from a February DUI incident, highlighting the golfer's chronic back pain and the challenges associated with prescription medication.
"Look, I know Tiger, very well. He's a great guy," Trump told Fox News Channel's Peter Doocy. "He's unique in so many ways, especially as an athlete, but also as a man. He suffers great pain, great pain."
Trump noted that Woods did not test positive for alcohol. The golfer's legal troubles, the president suggested, stemmed from his severe back issues and potentially a problematic back operation. "It's a tough deal when you're taking a painkiller because you're under pain and tremendous pain and you have a problem and you test positive," Trump said.
Woods agreed to a plea deal in his reckless driving case, pleading no contest to charges of willful, wanton reckless driving and careless driving. As part of the agreement, his driver's license has been suspended for five years. The plea deal was reached five months after the March incident where Woods' vehicle rolled over. At the time of the crash, Woods was reportedly traveling at a high speed on Jupiter Island when his SUV clipped a truck and overturned. Woods told responding deputies he had been looking down at his phone and changing a radio station, which led to the collision.
Authorities stated that Woods refused a urine test but agreed to a Breathalyzer, which showed no alcohol. Deputies reportedly found two pain pills in his pocket and observed signs of impairment. During the initial interaction with law enforcement, Woods famously mentioned he was on the phone with the president.
Trump advised Woods to have someone drive him, a suggestion he claims to have made to the golfer in the past. "So, he's going to have somebody drive him from now on. He's just a very special guy. I'm glad. I'm glad that was resolved," Trump stated.
Woods had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. He later made his first public appearance since his arrest in June, participating in an event to outline the PGA Tour's revamped schedule for the 2028 season.