A photo of President Trump playing a round of golf with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden went viral over Labor Day Weekend.
President Trump, 79, took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to brag about playing a round of golf with the former NFL head coach. Gruden, who lives in Florida, last coached in the NFL in 2021. He led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory during the 2002 season. Gruden was ousted from his position with the Raiders in 2021, after scandalous emails leaked. The now-former NFL head coach made disparaging remarks about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and others.
Gruden, who has been working for Barstool Sports, covering football, appeared to spend part of Labor Day Weekend playing a round of golf with the President of the United States.
President Trump playing golf with Jon Gruden.
President Trump posted a photo of himself fist-bumping the former NFL head coach, who was wearing a navy blue “TRUMP” hat on the course.
“Great playing Golf with Jon Gruden — A really nice guy, and true character!” President Trump posted on Sunday, August 31.
Questions about the photo are swirling, though
President Trump, who has been the subject of health rumors – stemming from photos of his severely bruised hand – was spotted at his golf course in Virginia on Saturday, August 30, ending speculation that something serious could be going on.
But social media users have noticed that Gruden was wearing the same outfit in an Instagram post dated Aug. 23. Was the photo President Trump posted from a round earlier in August? Or was it from that Sunday, August 31?
“Look, I don’t think it happened. But, what are the odds John Gruden golfed at Trump National a week ago, then golfed there again on Sunday, wearing the same exact fit?” one fan wrote.
Brian Krassenstein, a popular social media influencer with close to 1 million followers, added: “Why does it appear that Trump is posting old pictures of himself paying golf with Gruden as rumors of his death circulate? Also why does the tweet appear to have the hallmarks of a post written by ChatGPT? Gruden was golfing at the same course, wearing the same thing a week ago.”
Another fan wrote: “Is it not very bizarre to any reporter that Trump/The WH and their allies are trying to pass off a photo of Trump and Gruden as having been taken today, and not last week? is anyone talking about this??? I feel like I’m going crazy!
President Trump health update
President Trump’s vice president, J.D. Vance, told USA TODAY that despite the speculation, the President of the United States is in good health.
“The president is an incredibly good health,” said Vance. “He’s got incredible energy.”
Neither Gruden nor Trump have publicly commented on the round of golf, outside of the Truth Social post released on Sunday.
Gruden, meanwhile, has made it clear that he wants to coach again. He’s expressed an interest in coaching in the SEC and one big program has already been floated as a possible landing spot.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
