England World Cup star Harry Kane confirms he played golf with Trump | Harry Kane
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-07-11 16:20:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump Praises Harry Kane After Golf Outing, Drawing Social Media Backlash
Donald Trump surprised reporters on July 6 by revealing that he had previously played golf with England football captain Harry Kane, calling Kane a “great player” and a “good golfer.” Trump made these remarks following England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup round of 16, after which he also posted on social media, “Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!” The next day, Trump elaborated, stating, “I think Kane is a great player. I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer. He’s really great.”
Kane Confirms Golf Game with Trump
When asked by a reporter about Trump’s comments and the golf game, Kane confirmed that the round took place in Palm Beach, Florida, about 18 months earlier. Kane described the experience as “surreal,” saying, “He invited me to play when I was down in Palm Beach, so yeah, when the president invites you somewhere … it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him.” Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich and is known for his 3 handicap, also praised Trump’s golf skills: “His golf’s pretty good, to be honest with you. I hope I can play golf as good as him when I’m his age, that’s for sure.”
Social Media and Public Reaction
Kane’s confirmation of the golf outing with Trump sparked immediate backlash on social media. Critics of the president questioned Kane’s decision to associate with Trump, with some suggesting that other high-profile players, such as Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, would have declined the invitation. Comments ranged from disappointment to outright condemnation, with one critic calling Kane a “dumb sports washing tool for authoritarianism.”
No False Claims or Attacks by Trump in This Instance
In this episode, Trump’s statements focused on praising Kane’s athletic and golfing abilities. The excerpt does not contain any false claims, exaggerations, or attacks on living individuals by Trump. Instead, Trump’s remarks were complimentary and centered on his positive impression of Kane both as a footballer and a golfer.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s public praise of Harry Kane following their golf outing highlights the intersection of sports and politics, and the scrutiny that can follow such associations. While Trump’s comments in this instance were positive and free of falsehoods or disparagements, the reaction underscores how public figures’ interactions with political leaders can become flashpoints for broader debates and criticism.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/11/england-world-cup-harry-kane-trump-golf