Tiger Woods has no regrets about being pictured alongside high-ranking Democrat, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro this week.
Even further, he insists that his romance with President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law has not made him more political.
At a Monday ribbon-cutting ceremony for his new ‘learning lab’ at a Philadelphia golf center, the 15-time major champion rubbed shoulders with Shapiro and the city’s Democratic mayor, Cherelle Parker.
Many people wondered if the appearance would incur the wrath of President Trump, who was once the father-in-law of Woods’ now-girlfriend, Vanessa Trump.
According to a recent Emerson College Polling survey, Shapiro is one of the leading Democratic contenders for the 2028 Presidential election.
But his friends say the appearance was no big deal, and the golfer doesn’t care about any backlash he might receive – even if it’s from the White House.
‘He was at an event and the governor was there,’ says a source close to Woods. ‘He’s allowed to talk to anyone he wants – Democrat or Republican. He’s not a stooge, you know. He’s his own man who can do whatever he wants.
‘Yes, he’s dating Vanessa, but that doesn’t mean anything. She is from the Trump family, but what difference does that make? It’s ridiculous. He hasn’t heard from the president, and if he did, he’d still stand by what he did. It was for a good cause.’
Woods (center) appeared with Josh Shapiro (third from right) at the Monday event
Shapiro acknowledged Woods as he addressed the crowd
Woods and Vanessa Trump announced their relationship in March
Woods, 49, and Vanessa, 47, confirmed their relationship in March with an Instagram post.
Vanessa married ex-husband Donald Jr in 2005 and divorced in 2018. They share five children: Kai, Donald III, Tristan, Spencer and Chloe.
Woods shares two kids – Sam Alexis and Charlie – with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, whom he married in 2004 and divorced in 2010.
Woods and Vanessa reportedly met and bonded over their children Kai and Charlie and their shared pursuit of golf.
Woods had also enjoyed a cozy relationship with the president prior to getting together with Trump’s former daughter-in-law. He has previously been invited to the White House a number of times, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019.
But friends say Woods is still publicly non-partisan.
‘Everyone assumes that his romance with Vanessa means that he is now some hardcore Trumper, and that’s just not true,’ says the friend. ‘He keeps his political views to himself, but he’s not going to avoid people on either side of the aisle if he feels like there’s good work to be done.’
President Trump has invited Woods to the White House several times
Woods announced his relationship with Vanessa Trump earlier this year with a PDA-packed picture (above) captioned ‘Love is in the Air’
The newly opened learning lab was created by Woods’ nonprofit, TGR Foundation. It will offer local students – from first through 12th grade – access to educational tools covering subjects such as science, technology and engineering.
Among the aims of the learning lab is to help young people prepare for college and their careers.
The 30,000 square-foot facility features nine classrooms as well as a music recording room, podcast studio and a golf simulator.
‘It combines my passion for supporting youth through education and golf,’ Woods said earlier this year.
Woods invited Shapiro and Parker to the ribbon cutting ceremony because of their proximity to the facility, our source explained.
‘He invited the mayor and the governor, not because of their political party, but because they were the mayor and the governor,’ the friend said. ‘He would have invited them no matter what party they were.’
‘And if anyone has a problem with that, Tiger will be fine. He will let the chips fall where they may.’
