Donald Trump’s Nickname Legacy
Donald Trump has long been known for assigning derogatory nicknames to political rivals and critics. From “Crooked Hillary” for Hillary Clinton to “Sleepy Joe” for President Joe Biden, and “Birdbrain” for Nikki Haley, Trump often uses these labels as political weapons.
Other examples include dubbing Gavin Newsom “Governor Newscum,” Bernie Sanders “Crazy Bernie,” and even referring to Kamala Harris as “Tampon Tim.”
However, Trump isn’t the only one dishing out names. Over the years, others have returned the favor, and one nickname in particular, “Pele,” stands out.
Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with politics but rather with his behavior on the golf course.
A Love Affair with Golf
Trump has an undeniable passion for golf. During his presidency, he was frequently spotted hitting the links, reportedly playing over 40 times while in office.
Critics often pointed out the timing of these outings, like when he went golfing amid stock market turmoil tied to his trade policies or during major scandals, such as the Epstein controversy.
Despite these moments of public scrutiny, Trump often boasted about his golf achievements, claiming numerous club championship wins at his own properties, including a Senior Club Championship in April and another in January — although, reportedly, no one witnessed the latter match.
Ch3ating Allegations Surface
The credibility of Trump’s golf wins has long been questioned. One of the most outspoken critics is sportswriter Rick Reilly, author of the book Commander in Ch3at.
The title alone hints at Trump’s alleged habit of ch3ating during games. Reilly has claimed that Trump’s golf antics go beyond exaggeration — they include blatant rule-breaking.
Reilly shared first-hand accounts, including one where Trump took seven mulligans (do-overs) in a single round and once demanded a “gimme chip-in,” an unheard-of shortcut in the sport.
According to Reilly, Trump simply cannot stand losing and will bend the rules to claim victory.
Denials from Trump’s Camp
In 2024, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung responded to Reilly’s accusations by ridiculing the author’s golf skills and dismissing his credibility, claiming that Reilly suffers from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Despite the campaign’s rebuttals, the stories have kept piling up.
Reilly and others have even alleged that Trump won tournaments he didn’t attend. One story claims he declared himself champion of a course he had just purchased by playing a solo round and proclaiming himself the winner.
“That’s just who he is,” said Reilly.
Pattern of Rule-Bending
The pattern is consistent: Trump wins only at courses he owns or controls. Though he boasts 23 championship titles, Reilly says none came from outside-owned clubs.
Former Trump Plaza Casino executive Jack O’Donnell supported this narrative, saying golf reveals a person’s true character — and Trump, he claims, always moves his ball to gain an advantage.
One particularly telling anecdote came from the late Mark Eddis, who, after a round of golf with Trump, said, laughing, that Trump moved the ball on “every shot but the tee shot.”
The “Pele” Nickname: A Nod to His Kicking Game
At Winged Foot Golf Club, where Trump is a member, caddies became so accustomed to his habit of kicking the ball into better positions that they started calling him “Pele,” after the legendary Brazilian soccer player.
Ironically, Trump had once named Pele as his favorite athlete, though probably not expecting to be likened to him for his footwork on the golf course.
Bryan Marsal, a longtime member of the club and chair of the 2020 U.S. Open, confirmed Trump’s behavior. Marsal recalled a Saturday game where Trump openly admitted, “You see those two guys? They ch3at. I ch3at. And I expect you to ch3at, too.”
According to Marsal, Trump rationalized ch3ating by assuming everyone else was doing it as well.
Final Word: A Character Revealed?
Reilly concluded that golf isn’t a game where ch3ating can easily go unnoticed — and that Trump’s manipulation of the rules is revealing.
For Trump, appearances and declarations seem to matter more than fair play. Whether calling his rivals names or fudging golf scores, the approach remains the same: win at any cost.
