Biden Dismisses Trump’s Golf Challenge as ‘Bizarre Stunts’

President Joe Biden won’t be accepting Donald Trump’s recent golf challenge, with the Biden campaign dismissing the offer as “bizarre stunts” and emphasizing that the president is occupied with crucial national and global responsibilities. James Singer, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, stated that Biden is “too occupied defending the free world” to participate in a golf match. Instead of engaging in Trump’s golfing antics, Biden is focusing on his own set of priorities, which include “creating jobs,” “standing up to Putin,” and “upholding the law.”

Trump’s challenge came after a series of attacks on Biden during a Florida campaign rally. The former president also reignited a discussion from their June 27 debate, where they had exchanged remarks on their physical fitness and golf skills. Trump, 78, boasted of winning two club championships and doubted Biden, 81, could hit a ball 50 yards. In response, Biden joked about Trump’s fitness, suggesting he would be open to a golf game if Trump carried his own bag, and claimed a golf handicap of six, which places him in the top quarter of male golfers according to Golf Digest.

On Tuesday, Trump escalated the matter by challenging Biden to an 18-hole golf match, offering a 20-stroke advantage and pledging $1 million to a charity of Biden’s choice if the president emerged victorious. Trump claimed such a match would be “one of the most-watched sporting events in history,” potentially surpassing the Ryder Cup or even the Masters.

Singer criticized Trump’s proposal, stating, “Joe Biden doesn’t have time for Donald Trump’s bizarre stunts – he’s focused on leading America and defending the free world. Donald Trump is a liar, a convict, and a fraud only out for himself – that’s typical of him.”

The debate over the candidates’ age and fitness has been a persistent theme in the campaign. Both Trump and Biden would be the oldest person ever elected president if they win. Trump was the oldest president to start his term at 70 years and 220 days in January 2017, while Biden, at 78 years and 61 days, set a new record when inaugurated in 2021. Following the June 27 debate, where Biden appeared less sharp, some prominent Democratic supporters suggested he consider withdrawing from the race. Despite this, Biden has committed to running, asserting he is the best candidate to defeat Trump in 2024. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., supported Biden’s decision to run and indicated that Democrats would back him regardless of his choice.

Trump played 261 rounds of golf during his presidency, as estimated by the Washington Post, despite criticizing Barack Obama for golfing 333 times over twice as many years. Biden, in contrast, played golf once in his first 100 days in office, according to Business Insider, and Politico reported he played 10 times in his first nine months.