Tiger Woods is handcuffed to a police car after a car accident. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Golf icon Tiger Woods was heard telling deputies, “I just talked to the president,” moments after he crashed his SUV last week, according to newly released footage of his arrest on DUI charges.Footage taken after the Jupiter Island crash on March 27 does not confirm who Woods was referring to. But speculation linked the remark to Donald Trump, who later expressed concern, calling Woods a “very close friend” and a “wonderful man” who was dealing with “some issues.”
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Tiger Woods arrest drama: Bloodshot eyes in shot, crash photo goes viral, Trump responds According to an AP report, authorities said Woods admitted to being distracted while driving. “I looked down at my phone and all of a sudden — boom,” he told the officer, describing how his speeding SUV hit the truck and flipped onto its side. No injuries were reported.The video shows Woods appearing disoriented during the interrogation — hiccuping, yawning and nodding off repeatedly in the patrol car. When informed of his arrest, a stunned Woods asked, “Am I under arrest?” to which the deputy replied, “Yes, sir.”Deputy Tatiana Levenar, who administered the field sobriety test, concluded, “I believe your normal faculties are impaired … you are under arrest for DUI.” A search of Woods’ pockets revealed two pills he identified as Norco, a prescription pain reliever containing hydrocodone.Woods insisted he did not drink alcohol. “I’m not drunk. I’m on prescription medication,” he later told officers, admitting he had taken “a few” drugs earlier in the day. A breath test showed no alcohol, though he refused a urine test — now a misdemeanor under Florida law.The 50-year-old, who pleaded not guilty, cited a long history of injuries during the road test, including several back and leg surgeries that affected his balance.Widely regarded as one of golf’s greatest figures, Woods has struggled with persistent injuries in recent years and has not played competitively since the 2024 Open Championship. After the incident, he announced that he would be stepping down indefinitely to focus on his health.
