Trump is well-known for giving his political opponents nicknames, such as “Crooked Hillary,” “Sleepy Joe,” and most recently, “Birdbrain” for Nikki Haley. He has established a reputation for using derogatory and frequently sarcastic nicknames as political weapons over the years.

However, a lot of people are unaware that Trump has a nickname of his own that has nothing to do with a political rival or the campaign trail.

The golf course is the source of it.

Additionally, caddies, other athletes, and seasoned members of elite clubs claim that the nickname is based on accusations of cheating rather than admiration.

They refer to him as “Pele.”

No, not due to his skill. Not because he was a good athlete. However, Donald Trump is said to have developed a habit of kicking, albeit with a golf ball rather than a soccer ball, just like the renowned soccer player.

His Favorite Game, Which He Allegedly Cheats at At
Golf is nothing new to Donald Trump. He has put in hundreds of hours on the links during his presidency and beyond, frequently at his own courses. He has accumulated dozens of self-reported titles and proudly declared himself a club champion at several courses.

Even though Trump says he loves golf, it’s possible that he has an unhealthy obsession with winning.

In his best-selling book Commander in Cheat, sportswriter and author Rick Reilly delves deeply into Trump’s golfing habits, asserting that the former president not only skirts the rules but also disobeys them.

When Reilly appeared on television, he remarked, “I’ve always said golf is like bicycle shorts.” It gives a lot of information about a man. And it shows that Trump cheats because he needs to win.

Mystery Trophies, “Give Me” Chip-Ins, and Mulligans

Reilly described his personal experiences playing with Trump, claiming that the former president frequently moved his ball into better positions, gave himself chip-ins without completing the play, and took seven mulligans—extra shots that aren’t counted.

According to Reilly, Trump once said, “Anytime I buy a new course, I play the first round all by myself. That’s how I ‘win’ so many club championships.” and proclaim myself the winner of the club.

Take a moment to process that.

Trump has reportedly claimed wins in competitions in which he has never participated or even visited the state, according to Reilly and others.

Furthermore, this goes beyond mere rumors. One of his coworkers, the late Mark Eddis, once played with Trump and returned laughing, according to former Trump Plaza executive Jack O’Donnell. “Every shot but the tee shot,” Eddis said in response to the question of whether Trump cheated.

The Nickname “Pele”: An Inside Joke At Winged Foot Golf Club, one of the most prominent courses in the nation and a Trump favorite, caddies started to notice an odd trend.

They claimed that when Trump believed no one was looking, he had a tendency to kick his ball out of tough lies and back onto the fairway.

In reference to the Brazilian soccer legend and Trump’s alleged admiration for the player, they gave him the nickname “Pele.”

It was obviously not a compliment.

As a longtime member of Winged Foot and chair of the 2020 U.S. Open, Bryan Marsal claims that Trump once said, “You see those two guys? They are dishonest. Do you see me? I am a cheater. And since we’re going to defeat those two guys today, I anticipate that you will cheat.

For Trump, cheating was the norm rather than the exception.

If everyone does it, is it truly cheating?

Marsal made a particularly telling statement: Trump seems to think that since everyone cheats, his own behavior isn’t unfair; rather, it’s just a part of the game.

“So yes, it’s true,” Marsal said, “he will defraud you.” However, I believe that Donald secretly thinks you will also defraud him.

This attitude says a lot, not only about Trump’s golfing style but also perhaps about his attitude toward competition in general. Why shouldn’t he follow the rules if winning is the aim and everyone else is?

The Defense and the Denials

Trump’s team has, of course, denied the allegations. In a 2024 interview, campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung retaliated against Rick Reilly by stating:

Rick dreams of being as good at golf as President Trump. However, Rick lets his severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome take over his life rather than working hard to improve his s—ty game.

Cheung brushed the accusations aside as jealous reporter’s personal jabs. However, Reilly wasn’t the only one who voiced concerns.

Even well-respected golfers who typically steer clear of political drama have told similar tales about Trump’s dubious behavior on the course.

Furthermore, Reilly isn’t holding back. He wrote on Golf.com that Trump “throws, boots, and moves the ball… and lies about his lies, cheating like a three-card Monte dealer.”

The Way a Man Plays Golf Speaks Volumes

Many people refer to golf as a “gentleman’s game.” Honesty, integrity, and self-control are the cornerstones of the regulations. You are not being followed by referees. Only you, the ball, and your conscience are involved.

For this reason, a lot of people think a man’s golf game speaks volumes about his personality.

What does it say about Trump if the reports about his actions are accurate? In business, politics, and life, not just on the golf course?

Is It Important?

Some of Trump’s followers dismiss the accusations as unimportant or even cute. Trump’s “antics” on the golf course are said to be a natural part of his competitive nature. that it’s just “Trump being Trump” and not actual cheating.

Others, however, see it as just another indication of a man who follows his own rules, whether in politics or real estate. Or a foursome at his own golf club on Sundays.

It’s about being honest, not about the scorecard. And that still matters to a lot of Americans.

Although Donald Trump is well-known for his nicknames, he didn’t choose “Pele” for himself. An inside joke that reveals more about the man behind the brand, the name is whispered by caddies and murmured by other players.

Trump’s golf game tells a story, regardless of whether you find it amusing or unsettling. For those who have witnessed it firsthand, it is a tale of control, power, and a desperate desire to succeed at all costs.