President Trump attended the final day of the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club as the honorary chairman. His arrival drew both supporters and protesters to the Chicagoland area. Crowds gathered to witness Trump’s involvement in the event, and his presence was marked by a flyover above the country club approximately 90 minutes before the players began their rounds.
Speaking briefly at O’Hare Airport before heading to the tournament, Trump encouraged spectators by saying, “You’ll be seeing the best players, the best golfers anywhere in the world.” Outside the event, opposing groups voiced their opinions. Allison Galvan, executive director of Grito Latino Addison Community Center Inc., expressed opposition to Trump’s visit, while Terry Newsome remarked, “Not everybody in Illinois is a radical leftist.” The local police managed tensions between these groups effectively, as minor confrontations occurred when participants crossed paths.
Inside the country club, Trump remained at the first tee box for the duration of his visit to maintain focused security. Enthusiast Carolyn Friedrichs shared her excitement about the heightened security presence, noting the unique experience of Secret Service bag checks. Fans underwent TSA-style screenings to gain entrance, although Friedrichs commented that security was not as intense as expected. SWAT officers and various security measures were visibly present throughout the tournament grounds.
When Trump addressed the crowd at the first tee box, he briefly stated, “These people want to see golf, they don’t want to hear speeches. I will only say this, our country is doing great, better than ever before.” He then interacted with players by shaking hands and observing tee-offs for over an hour. Although a bulletproof suite was reportedly prepared for him, Trump chose to remain outside among the crowd.
The audience embraced the opportunity to see a sitting president, with fans like Bruce Asmussen enjoying the lively atmosphere. “It’s great. It was electric up there,” Asmussen remarked, having arrived early to secure a spot.
This was Trump’s first public appearance in Chicago since the 2024 election. Event organizers noted that extensive planning was required to host the president. With the president’s plans unexpectedly extending to the closing ceremonies, Air Force One was scheduled to depart from O’Hare Airport for Washington, D.C., later Sunday evening.