Fact Check: Trump golfed 31 times in first 100 days

The Claim: "Trump Golfed 31 Times in First 100 Days"

Introduction

The assertion that former President Donald Trump golfed 31 times during his first 100 days in office has circulated in various discussions about his presidency. This claim raises questions about the frequency of his golfing compared to past presidents and the implications of such leisure activities during a pivotal time in his administration. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding this claim, critically assessing the sources and their reliability.

What We Know

1. Timeline of Trump's Presidency: Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2017, and his first 100 days in office concluded on April 29, 2017. This period is often used as a benchmark for evaluating a new president's effectiveness and priorities 3.

2. Golfing Frequency: According to various reports, Trump did indeed spend significant time golfing during this period. A Business Insider article from May 1, 2017, states that Trump golfed 31 times in his first 100 days, which was more than any of his recent predecessors during their respective first 100 days 9.

3. Visits to Personal Properties: An NBC News report indicates that Trump spent parts of 40 days at his personal properties during this time, which included golfing at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida 8.

4. Comparative Analysis: A Wikipedia entry notes that Trump visited golf courses owned by him 92 times between his inauguration and January 3, 2018, although it does not specify the exact number of times he played golf during the first 100 days 4.

5. General Context: The first 100 days of a presidency are often viewed as a critical period for setting the tone of the administration. Trump's golfing habits have been a point of contention, particularly in light of his campaign promises to prioritize work over leisure 2.

Analysis

The claim that Trump golfed 31 times in his first 100 days is supported by a Business Insider article, which is generally considered a reliable source for political and business news. However, it is important to note that the article does not provide a detailed methodology for how the number of golf outings was calculated, which raises questions about the precision of the figure.

The NBC News report adds context by noting that Trump spent a significant amount of time at his properties, which suggests that he was indeed engaging in leisure activities frequently. However, it does not confirm the exact number of times he played golf, leaving some ambiguity in the overall assessment of his leisure time.

The Wikipedia entry, while informative, is a secondary source that compiles information from various reports. Its reliability can be questionable due to the potential for bias and inaccuracies inherent in crowd-sourced content.

The Washington Post and NPR articles provide additional context about Trump's golfing habits, but they do not specifically confirm the 31 times claim. They do, however, highlight the broader implications of his leisure activities during a tumultuous time for his administration, including the lack of significant legislative achievements during his first 100 days 16.

Source Reliability

• Business Insider: Generally reliable for political reporting, but lacks detailed sourcing for the specific claim.
• NBC News: A reputable news outlet with a history of thorough reporting, though it does not provide specific golf statistics.
• Wikipedia: Useful for general context but should be approached with caution due to potential inaccuracies.
• Washington Post and NPR: Credible sources that provide context but do not confirm the specific claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that Donald Trump golfed 31 times during his first 100 days in office is supported by a Business Insider article, which is a generally reliable source for political news. This figure is corroborated by additional context indicating that Trump spent significant time at his personal properties, suggesting a pattern of leisure activities during this critical period.

However, it is important to acknowledge that the Business Insider article does not provide a detailed methodology for how the number of golf outings was calculated, which introduces some uncertainty regarding the precision of the claim. Additionally, while other sources provide context about Trump's golfing habits, they do not specifically confirm the 31 times figure, which leaves room for ambiguity.

Readers should remain aware of these limitations and critically evaluate the information presented, considering the potential for biases and inaccuracies in reporting. As with any claim, it is advisable to seek out multiple sources and perspectives to form a well-rounded understanding.

Sources

1. Senate Office of Research. "President Trump's First 100 Days." Link
2. The Washington Post. "Opinion | Half of Trump’s first month in office saw him visiting Trump properties." Link
3. Wikipedia. "First 100 days of the first Donald Trump presidency." Link
4. Wikipedia. "Donald Trump and golf." Link
5. The Washington Post. "Trump’s presidency ends where so much of it was spent: A Trump Organization property." Link
6. NPR. "10 key numbers that sum up Trump's first 100 days." Link
7. The Washington Post. "Trump golfed as his tariff plan tanked the stock market." Link
8. NBC News. "Trump traveled little in his first 100 days, preferring to spend time ..." Link
9. Business Insider. "Here's how often Trump golfed during the first 100 days compared to Obama, Bush, and Clinton." Link
10. The Golf News Net. "How many times has President Donald Trump played golf while in office?" Link