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Did Jack Nicklaus endorse Trump for $20M fund? Golfing legend worth $300M branded 'embarrassment' amid backlash

The golfing legend believes the 74-year-old president has 'delivered on his promises' and 'worked for the average person'

Golfing legend Jack Nicklaus sparked fury on social media with a long endorsement for President Donald Trump. He believes the 74-year-old has "delivered on his promises" and "worked for the average person", while being "more diverse than any President I have seen and has tried to help people from all walks of life – equally." Nicklaus also feels "Trump's policies will bring the American Dream to many families across the nation." 

Sharing a post on Twitter, Nicklaus wrote, "Get out and vote. I did!" He post also read, "You might not like the way our President says or tweets some things – and trust me, I have told him that! – but I have learned to look past that and focus on what he's tried to accomplish. This is not a personality contest. It's about patriotism, policies and the people they impact. His love for America and its citizens, and putting his country first, has come through loud and clear. How he has said it has not been important to me. What has been important are his actions."

Soon, it sparked a wave of angry comments online. "What an embarrassment you are," one tweet read and another said, "How much did this cost? $20 million?" A user wrote, "You grew up in a well-off suburb. Your dad owned a chain of drug stores. You had your own golf coach by the time you were 11. Your bio is as full of sh*t as you are. F**k off, dude."

A user chimed in, "I've known the man since 1987. He’s a clinical sociopath. And I’m shocked to find out that you still don’t realize he’s a con man and you’ve been suckered by his greatest, most destructive scam. Everyone thinks a con artist is honest and great when they’re among the deceived."

The backlash also led to people poking their nose in his connection with Trump. A 2019 Politico report revealed, "Under the administration's fiscal 2020 funding plan released Monday, HHS would steer $20 million toward a mobile children's hospital project at Miami's Nicklaus Children's Hospital, named for the legendary golfer."

It also alleged how Nicklaus lobbied Trump on the golf course in Florida and he met with HHS Secretary Alex Azar and then-OMB Director Mick Mulvaney in Washington, DC, to request funds. "The $20 million increase will continue support for the pediatric disaster care pilot initiative which aims to improve pediatric care during emergencies," the budget proposal read. The two individuals confirmed that the funding would be for the Nicklaus project.

The report also pointed out that the HHS spokesperson did not address Nicklaus’ involvement. Nonetheless, it is interesting how Nicklaus and Trump have long been reported to be golf buddies. In February 2019, Trump had posted a photo with Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, writing, "Great morning at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida with @JackNicklaus and @TigerWoods!" A Golf Channel report also announced: "Both Nicklaus and Woods are regular golf partners for Trump. According to the club's website, Nicklaus designed its 18-hole course."

In an interview with the Irish Times in June 2019, Nicklaus opened up about his thoughts on Trump. "Our country right now is more divided than it has ever been," he says gravely. "I think it is all about power and who controls what. I think the media has gotten into it to such a degree that it is in front of people all the time all over the world. Ninety per cent of the media is liberal here. And you have a tainted view internationally of what America is all about."

"Take middle America... excluding New York and California, which are very liberal. The rest of the country feels that jobs are up, income is up, jobs are doing well, Trump is very well supported and I think he has done a very good job. And I just don’t understand some of the ideas that are going on today in our media and with our politicians. But it’s a hard situation and I wish people would come together. You know, we are all Americans."

What is Jack Nicklaus' net worth? 

As per Forbes, his career earnings amount to $1.15 billion. The report reads: "Nicklaus' eponymous golf course design firm has designed more than 400 courses in 41 countries and 39 states. Jack is directly responsible for 298 of those courses. The firm currently has 57-course projects under development in 19 countries."

Nicknamed “The Golden Bear,” his net worth is reportedly around $320 million, as per Celebrity Net Worth. The player has won a total of 18 major championships and also clinched a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Founder and host of The Memorial Tournament, he has actively involved himself in golf course design, charity work and book writing.