NEWPORT BEACH — A day after a controversial video surfaced of PGA Tour Champions golfer John Daly speaking by phone with former President Donald Trump about his interactions with Russian president Vladimir Putin while in office, Daly lashed out at the unnamed person who had taped the conversation and posted a video on social media.
During the conversation with Daly, according to a video posted by #nopopsgolf Instagram, Trump said he “got along great” with Putin while in office and seemed to imply that Russia didn’t invade Ukraine while he was President because he had threatened to bomb Moscow.
“They’re all saying, ‘Oh, he’s a nuclear power,’ ” Trump said on the video, which has now been posted by multiple media outlets. “You know, he was a friend of mine. I got along great with him. I say, ‘Vladimir, if you do it, we’re hitting Moscow.’ I said, ‘We’re gonna hit Moscow.’ And he sort of believed me, like 5 percent, 10 percent. That’s all you need.”
Daly said one of his acquaintances in the room in Newport Beach had placed the call on speakerphone so everyone could hear, but no one knew the call and video were being recorded.
Related Articles
Ernie Els takes Hoag Classic lead after two rounds
Cameron Beckman seizes 1st-round lead at Hoag Classic
Ernie Els hopes Hoag Classic is still good to him
PGA Tour commissioner: Players tempted by Saudi tour must ‘make a decision’
Phil Mickelson apologizes for Saudi league comments, will focus on ‘best interests of golf’
“I called (Trump) just to see how he was doing, checking in on him,” Daly said Saturday after the second round of the Hoag Classic at Newport Beach Country Club, speaking exclusively with Southern California News Group. “We didn’t see anybody filming anything. He must have just done it without anybody seeing it.”
Daly said he was upset that the video came out, because he considers Trump a friend and would never want to cast him in a negative light.
“We know now who did it, who filmed it,” Daly said, declining to identify the person. “That jerk. We’re very upset with him. I apologized to Mr. Trump.
“I’m not that guy; I’d never do that. It wasn’t that bad (what Trump said), but I’m his friend, and I would never do that to him. Whoever did it (posted the video first) must have sold it.”
Daly said he doesn’t understand why someone would post a video of his conversation with the former President.
“People are talking about (the) conversation, not about who posted it,” Daly said. “I don’t know why people (would) do it. I’m afraid . . . I hope Mr. Trump is OK with me. I would never, ever do that to him.”
Asked if he reached Trump when he called to apologize, Daly said no. “I talked to a few people on his staff,” he said. “They were upset.”