Donald Trump was joined by loyal valet Walt Nauta for the primary spherical of LIV Bedminster Friday as they placed on a united entrance sooner or later after pleading not responsible in a Florida courtroom.
Whereas Trump skipped Thursday’s courtroom look to take part within the pro-am competitors forward of the LIV Golf event at his Bedminster, New Jersey course, Nauta was in Fort Pierce, Florida to plead not responsible in particular person.
The pair made the pleas, with Trump’s being entered by his legal professionals on his behalf, in relation to expenses of deceptive federal investigators looking Mar-a-Lago for categorised paperwork.
However Nauta was swiftly by his boss’s aspect simply sooner or later later as he accompanied the previous President on his amble alongside the driving vary – carrying his three telephones for him.
Trump was greeted by nice fanfare as he arrived on the vary, making a beeline for Phil Mickelson, who was warming up within the first bay.
Donald Trump was joined by loyal valet Walt Nauta for the primary spherical of LIV Bedminster Friday
The previous President greeted Phil Mickelson on the driving vary forward of the opening spherical
The 77-year-old soaked up the limelight as he was greeted by an amazing fanfare from supporters
Mickelson was accused of wagering over $1billion over the previous three a long time and racked up playing losses of practically $100million by his former betting associate Billy Walters Thursday.
However the six-time main winner appeared unruffled by the allegations after rebutting them on social media.
He shook Trump’s hand with a beaming smile, whereas the 77-year-old slapped him on the shoulder.
Trump, and his hoard of secret service, wasn’t hanging about, nevertheless, as he continued ambling his method down the remainder of the lineup.
As he strolled alongside the vary he greeted Louis Oosthuizen and Brooks Koepka, who each immediately put their golf equipment right down to greet him.
In the meantime, the crowds within the gallery overlooking the observe floor referred to as out to him, amongst them have been cries of, ‘Let’s go, 45,’ and, ‘2024 child.’
Some overenthusiastic supporters tried their luck at sneaking into the roped-off media part, solely to reluctantly scuffle again on the command of the key service.
As Trump soaked up the limelight, his son Eric, who he had triumphed with within the pro-am the day before today, and Nauta adopted shut behind.
Trump made a beeline for Mickelson on the vary and shook the skilled’s hand
Trump was additionally joined by his son, Eric (proper), and an entourage of secret service brokers
Trump and Eric triumphed within the pro-am competitors forward of LIV Golf’s most important occasion
Nauta appeared alongside Charles De Oliveira Thursday on the listening to in federal courtroom.
An up to date indictment introduced by particular counsel Jack Smith late final month accuses Nauta and De Oliveira of scheming with the Republican former president to attempt to delete Mar-a-Lago surveillance video sought by investigators.
They face expenses together with conspiracy to hinder justice within the case stemming from secret authorities paperwork discovered on the Palm Seaside membership after Trump left the White Home in 2021.
Nauta and Trump have been charged in June and beforehand pleaded not responsible, however a brand new indictment added extra expenses and De Oliveira to the case.
However Nauta had clearly wasted no time in jetting as much as New Jersey from Florida Thursday night time to be reunited with Trump on the golf event the next day.
Trump was additionally seen along with his glamorous aide Margo Martin, whereas mingling with the group of gamers and caddies.
However the actual present got here as he made his technique to the primary tee. The LIV Golf presenter introduced that that the vary was closing to ensure that gamers to make their technique to their tees for the shotgun begin.
Trump took his cue to exit the driving vary and hop in his presidential golf cart, triggering a stampede from the gallery.
Trump and Nauta exchanged dialog sooner or later after they pleaded not responsible to expenses
Nauta was seen carrying the forty fifth President’s three telephones on the observe floor
His supporters raced to comply with his golf cart motorcade, sparking chaos as safety tried – and sometimes failed – to maintain them at bay.
Trump, oblivious to the struggles of the workers, waved to this admirers, even flashing gun fingers.
His excessive spirits continued as the primary tee field offered one more stage for him to bask within the admiration.
Patrons virtually hung over the aspect of the railings to get a glimpse of him, whereas these stood on the ropes have been about 4 rows deep.
Trump watched on as final week’s winner and captain of Crushers GC Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and the winner of final yr’s LIV Bedminster occasion Henrik Stenson.
He then shocked everybody by following the three professionals as they strolled down the golf green, relatively than hop on his cart and tailback to the consolation of his luxurious clubhouse.
Trump and his entourage, which included Eric, Nauta and Martin, have been in no rush to maintain up with the tempo of play, nevertheless, as they leisurely strolled round 130 yards behind the gamers.
His followers weren’t distracted by the golf stars although as they ran alongside the ropes with him and the eye appeared to trigger a slight difficulty on the second tee.
After stealing the present, Trump adopted Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson
He walked behind the group of pros for his or her opening three holes
Nauta had appeared in federal courtroom in Fort Pierce, Florida, to make his plea Thursday
Trump was solely coming off the primary inexperienced because the gamers already stood on the tee field at two. And, as he made his method down the slight slope, so did the swarm of supporters.
The frenzy of movement appeared to place off Stenson who had simply addressed his ball. The Swede, dubbed the Iceman for his cool composure, stepped again from his ball, forcing his caddie to gesture to the crowds to cease transferring earlier than taking his shot.
Trump lasted three holes, strolling Friday relatively than utilizing his golf cart emblazoned with the presidential seal, which he had whizzed round on throughout his spherical Thursday.
He was picked up after the third and pushed again to the clubhouse to look at the remainder of the motion from there.
