Trump to visit Chicago area for Presidents Cup at Medinah
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Jim Furyk of the USA putts during the Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club in 2012. Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
President Donald Trump will make his way to the Chicago area this week for the first time during his current term.
The latest: The Presidents Cup runs Thursday through Sunday at Medinah Country Club in the northwest suburbs, with Trump serving as honorary chairman. Practices and fan activities begin Tuesday.
Why it matters: Trump's visit comes amid an adversarial relationship with Chicago and Illinois leaders.
State of play: Trump has repeatedly criticized the city over crime, immigration and its Democratic leadership, while the city and state have challenged his administration in court.
- The relationship has become so contentious that Gov. JB Pritzker said Trump is "neither wanted here nor needed here."
What he's saying: "Donald Trump has attacked Chicago and Illinois at every turn of his term, like joking about the smell of deportations in the morning and sending masked agents into our neighborhoods," Pritzker said in a statement.
- "Now, he wants to come here for golf."
Reality check: The Presidents Cup has a long tradition of naming world leaders honorary chairman. Previous U.S. presidents to hold the role include Joe Biden, Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
- Trump also served as honorary chairman when the tournament was held in New Jersey in 2017.
The big picture: The Presidents Cup is a biennial team golf competition that pits 12 top U.S. players against 12 international players from outside Europe. Unlike most PGA Tour events, golfers compete in match play for team pride rather than individual prize money.
Context: This is the first Presidents Cup held in the Chicago area, though Medinah famously hosted the 2012 Ryder Cup.
Fun fact: No other club in the world has hosted a U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and now the Presidents Cup.
Flashback: Trump's appearance will be his first public visit to the Chicago area since October 2024, when he addressed the Economic Club of Chicago during his presidential campaign.
- His visit also comes as the midterm election heats up. Last week, Trump endorsed Republican Darren Bailey for Illinois governor.
The bottom line: Trump is being honored in a state whose leaders have spent much of his second term fighting his administration.