Footage from body cameras made public on April 2, 2026 indicates that Tiger Woods claimed he had been in contact with President Donald Trump shortly after his SUV crash on Jupiter Island, Florida—a revelation that has sparked major debate about the 15-time major champion’s choices in the period leading up to his second DUI charge.
The March 27 incident happened around 2 p.m. when Woods’ black Land Rover struck the rear end of a pickup truck towing a pressure-washing apparatus along Beach Road. The 50-year-old athlete had drifted over the center line while reportedly attending to his phone and adjusting radio settings. His vehicle flipped to its side, but there were no injuries.
Body camera footage from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office captures Woods wrapping up a phone call as Deputy Tatiana Levenar arrived. “Thank you so much. All right. You got it. Bye,” Woods spoke into the phone before informing the officer: “Yeah, I was just talking to the president.”
The White House has not substantiated whether President Trump had contact with Woods right after the incident. Still, Trump made remarks to media about his longtime associate hours later upon arriving in Miami via Air Force One for a business summit. “I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty,” Trump stated regarding Woods, mentioning his substantial discomfort. “Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person.”
The relationship between Woods and the president transcends their mutual enthusiasm for golf. Woods is presently in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former partner of Donald Trump Jr. and guardian of five presidential grandchildren. Woods’ Jupiter Island residence is situated roughly 30 miles south of Mar-a-Lago, and the pair have participated in golf outings together repeatedly. During 2019, President Trump bestowed upon Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his recovery from major physical complications.
The body camera video documents the complete sequence of occurrences preceding Woods’ apprehension. Deputy Levenar administered balance and coordination assessments that Woods performed poorly on, moving with difficulty because of his previous surgical treatments—seven spinal procedures and approximately 20 treatments involving his right leg. Woods had a compression garment on his right knee and exhibited profuse perspiration accompanied by hiccupping while undergoing examination.
Woods explained the crash in straightforward terms: “I looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden—boom.”
Woods achieved a passing result on a breath examination demonstrating zero alcohol levels, yet authorities located two white hydrocodone tablets among his belongings during a search. He communicated to law enforcement that he had consumed “a few” medicines throughout the day but declined a urine examination. Deputy Levenar noted in her written account that Woods’ mental faculties were diminished and took him into custody for DUI.
Documentation from the arrest indicates Woods displayed signs of being dazed. After receiving notification of his arrest, Woods maintained he had consumed no alcohol but emphasized he was on prescription medications.
Florida altered its legal code in October 2025 to classify refusing a breath, blood, or urine examination as a second-degree misdemeanor for an initial violation. Woods currently faces DUI allegations involving property damage and declining a required examination. He filed a not guilty response on April 1 and distributed a message indicating he would step back from competitive golf “for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.” Woods additionally stepped down from his role as U.S. Ryder Cup captain for 2027.
The conversation with Trump has faced strong disapproval. Broadcast commentator Megyn Kelly described it as “a douche move” during her YouTube show Friday, suggesting Woods was attempting to leverage his relationship with the president to escape repercussions.
This represents Woods’ second DUI custody in the past ten years. In May 2017, law enforcement located him passed out in his automobile in Jupiter, Florida, and he subsequently acknowledged reckless driving. The renowned golfer has confronted ongoing physical setbacks that have restricted his participation in tournaments since the 2024 British Open. He was making ready for the Masters competition when the collision transpired, reflecting an extended sequence of physical complications that commenced with a severe 2021 Los Angeles automobile collision that nearly resulted in amputation of his right leg.
Police vehicle recordings display Woods hiccupping, yawning, and dozing off repeatedly throughout the 15-minute transport to Martin County Jail. He was subsequently freed and transported to his residence via a private vehicle. The legal matter advances through the Florida court structure as one of professional golf’s most prominent personalities navigates another setback that has redirected public focus from his extraordinary competitive accomplishments.