Eric Trump called out Rory McIlroy his “friend” and expressed his gratitude for the golfer’s support of the Trump family.
“Rory’s become a friend. And frankly, I’d say without Rory’s support, I’m not even sure if we’d have it here,” Eric, 42, said of McIlroy, 36, who supported the decision for the Irish Open to go to the president. donald trumpDoonbeg Golf Course, County Clare, Ireland, in an interview with The Belfast Telegraph published on Sunday, January 25.
Eric added that he promised McIlroy that Doonbeg would host “the best Irish Open Ireland has ever seen”. Eric shared that his 79-year-old father plans to attend the three-day event, scheduled for September 10-13.
“I think he’s going to be here,” Eric said of the president. “He really wants to be here, and I know Rory definitely wants him here.”
Eric also shared that McIlroy has formed a close bond with him and the entire Trump family.
“Rory has been very supportive of the family,” Eric told the network. “I was with him two weeks ago. He played Trump Jupiter.”
Earlier this month, When Trump —the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. i Vanessa Trump — Spent some time on the golf course with McIlroy. (Kai, 18, is currently an amateur golfer who has committed to play for the University of Miami women’s golf team this year.)
“Best way to start the year,” Kai captioned a snap of herself and the golf pro via Instagram.
Last year, McIlroy played a round of golf with the president, an avid golfer and sports fan. After teeing off, McIlroy spoke to the media about what he believes to be the PGA’s stance on the growing popularity of LIV golf.
“I was like, but you’ve hosted his events,” McIlroy said of Trump’s take on LIV golf in February 2025. “He said, ‘Yeah, but it doesn’t mean I like it.’ So I think it’s on the tour side.”
Months later, the golfers on Team Europe, which included McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood i Jon Rahm – had a message for Donald after beating Team USA in the Ryder Cup 2025.
“Are you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching, Donald Trump? Are you watching Donald Trump?” the group sang while winning the trophy during the September 2025 event.
President Donald Trump couldn’t help but dig into Taylor Swift while welcoming the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to the White House. Trump, 78, celebrated the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory on Monday, April 28, in a ceremony that featured many Eagles players, head coach Nick Sirianni and owner Howie Roseman. “I (…)
Donald, who attended part of the Ryder Cup at Farmingdale, New York’s Bethpage Black Golf Course, responded via social media.
“Yes, I’m watching. Congratulations!” he wrote via his Truth Social app.
The golfers’ decision to call Donald came after McIlroy received a message from the president, according to team captain Luke Donald.
“We were having a moment with the team and Rory got a text from the chairman,” the Europe team captain told the BBC. “We read it and thought (we’d have) a little joke (with him). He seemed to take it in good humor.”