In a gesture that quickly made headlines across both the political and sporting worlds, former U.S. President Donald Trump extended his congratulations to Rory McIlroy following the Northern Irish golfer’s long-awaited victory at the Masters Tournament on Sunday.
McIlroy’s win at Augusta National marked a historic moment in his career, as he finally completed the career Grand Slam—joining an elite group of golfers to have won all four major championships. After years of near-misses at Augusta, the emotional victory resonated deeply with fans and fellow players alike.
Donald Trump, an avid golfer and former owner of several golf resorts, took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to post his message:
“Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on a truly magnificent victory at The Masters! One of the greatest comebacks we’ve seen at Augusta. A great champion and a great ambassador for the game of golf. Well deserved!”
The message quickly gained traction, with Trump supporters and golf fans alike sharing and commenting on the post. While Trump and McIlroy have had a complicated history—McIlroy once declined an invitation to play golf with Trump during his presidency—the former president’s public praise appeared to focus solely on McIlroy’s on-course accomplishments.
McIlroy, who has often been outspoken about various social and political issues, did not directly respond to Trump’s message. However, in his post-tournament press conference, he expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from around the world.
“It’s been an incredible journey to get to this point. I’ve received messages from all over—from fellow players, celebrities, and even politicians. It means a lot,” McIlroy said.
The 2025 Masters win is being heralded as one of the most emotional and triumphant moments in recent golf history. With the addition of the green jacket to his collection, McIlroy’s legacy in the sport is now cemented as one of the all-time greats.
As the golf world celebrates Rory’s triumph, Trump’s message serves as yet another reminder of how sport can bridge divides—even, occasionally, between unlikely figures.
