The former president Donald Trump was at the center of questions this week as protests staged by families and survivors of the 9/11 attacks drew attention to the ongoing ties between American sports and Saudi-backed ventures. At a golf event tied to a private course in Bedminster, New Jersey, observers watched as protesters gathered outside the gates, emphasizing their concerns about the connections between the attacks and the investors involved in the event.
Trump, wearing a red campaign hat, responded to inquiries from a journalist about delivering a message to the victims of 9/11 who had protested and who were planning to protest again in the coming Friday. The golf tournament carried financial backing from a Saudi government fund, a fact that did not escape the spotlight amid the broader discussion of funding in professional golf circuits.
In a video recorded at the Trump National Golf Club complex, Trump commented on what he described as the unresolved questions surrounding the perpetrators of the attacks and the impact on his city, country, and the world. He noted long-standing relationships with individuals from Saudi Arabia and highlighted their involvement in various American enterprises, including holdings in multiple companies and their influence within the golf industry. The remarks were shared by sports media outlets and rapidly circulated online, prompting widespread commentary across social platforms.
The subject has appeared prominently in public discourse ever since a movement started encouraging golfers to reconsider affiliations with the PGA Tour. The organization that runs professional competitions across the United States and North America has shown interest in LIV, an upstart circuit backed by Saudi sovereign wealth funds operating on its grounds. The conversations surrounding this topic have drawn attention from players, fans, and critics who question the balance between business interests and national events.
Protesters gathered at the complex gates, with a substantial portion of the group expressing concerns about the nature of the ties between the Saudi government and the attacks that claimed thousands of lives. The majority of the victims were located in New York and New Jersey, reflecting the geographic proximity of the events to the protest site.
Organizations coordinating the 9/11 remembrance efforts cited documented materials from the national investigation. The FBI conducted a review of the Saudi role, including involvement by individuals connected to Saudi Arabia. These materials have been made accessible through declassification processes, and they form part of the ongoing assessment of responsibility and accountability in relation to the attacks.