Arnold Palmer’s true feelings towards Donald Trump have been revealed after the former president made a lewd joke about the legendary golfer’s manhood.
The Republican candidate shared a rather intimate story about Palmer while speaking at a rally at the Latrobe airport, which is now named after the seven-time grand prix winner.
Trump regaled his supporters with stories about the late golf icon, who grew up in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
“When he showered with the other professionals, they came out saying ‘Oh my God’. I had to say it… I had to tell you the shower part because it’s true,” the 78-year-old said.
Trump went on to tell the story of Palmer’s early life, describing how the talented young golfer became a wealthy champion who bought the local golf club and put his father in charge.
Arnold Palmer’s (right) true feelings towards Donald Trump (left) have been revealed
But despite Trump’s affection for the former PGA Tour star, it appears Palmer did not reciprocate the sentiment.
Palmer, who died at the age of 87 just weeks before Trump was elected in 2016, was known for being politically conservative, befriended Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the two teamed up to win a charity event in 1964.
But the late golfer’s opinion of the Republican candidate soured during his first presidential election campaign, according to his daughter.
Peg Palmer revealed in a Interview 2018 with Sports News that his father had dealings with Trump in the past but “saw a different side of him” during the presidential campaign.
“My father didn’t like people who acted like they were better than everyone else,” Peg said. ‘I had no patience with people who are dishonest and cheating. My dad was disciplined. I wanted to be a good role model. He was dismayed by Trump’s incivility and what he began to see as his lack of character.
Peg Palmer (second right) is pictured with her parents Arnold (second left) and Winnie in 1957.
Palmer played regularly with former President Dwight D. Eisenhower (right)
He pointed to a particular moment in the 2016 campaign when Palmer saw the candidate on television.
“My father made a sound of disgust, like ‘uck’ or ‘ugg,’ as if he couldn’t believe the arrogance and crudeness of this man who was the candidate of the political party he believed in,” he recalled. Then he said, “He’s not as smart as we thought.”
‘What would my dad think of Donald Trump today?’ Mrs. Palmer wondered. “I think he would shudder.”
In addition to Trump’s sports stories, Saturday’s rally took on an athletic tone when former NFL star Antonio Brown addressed the crowd.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver slammed the ‘crazy’ media and mocked Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick Tim Walz.
Tim Walz is known as “coach” in the Harris campaign for his years as a high school football and basketball coach.
“He’s not a real football coach,” said Brown, who made his name as a spectacular receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “He couldn’t protect me.”
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown warmed up the crowd before Trump’s arrival
The former Steelers star, who left Pennsylvania in 2018 when he was traded to the Raiders, addressed the crowd of Trump supporters after mocking his appearance on social media earlier this week.
He compared his own rise against the odds as a lowly sixth-round pick to Trump’s unlikely emergence as president.
Trump is betting on Pennsylvania this weekend.
On Sunday he’s manning a McDonald’s chip stand near Philadelphia, hosting a town hall meeting in Lancaster, and then he’ll be at the Pittsburgh Steelers game that night.