Jackson Reid
Former US President Barack Obama has been criticized for golfing during funerals. In 2014, Obama went golfing instead of attending the funeral of his paternal aunt, Zeituni Onyango, who had helped care for his first child. Obama was also accused of golfing during the funeral of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, though this was not confirmed. Obama's successor, Donald Trump, has also faced criticism for golfing during funerals, including during the burial of two teenagers killed in the Florida school shooting. Despite criticism of Obama's actions, data shows that Trump has spent more time golfing and has a larger carbon footprint from air travel to golf clubs.
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What You'll Learn
Obama played golf instead of attending his aunt's funeral
In April 2014, President Barack Obama chose to go golfing instead of attending his paternal aunt Zeituni Onyango's funeral, which was held in Boston, Massachusetts. Onyango, who had moved to the United States from Kenya in 2001, played a significant role in supporting Obama and his wife, Michelle, after the birth of their first child. She took care of their baby, Sasha, and maintained their Chicago home. Onyango passed away at the age of 61 in a Boston nursing home after battling breast cancer and respiratory issues.
While the president did not physically attend the funeral, he contributed to the funeral expenses and sent a condolence note. Obama was spotted at his regular golf course at Joint Base Andrews, located just outside Washington, D.C., in Prince George's County, Maryland. He played with frequent golfing partners Marvin and Walter Nicholson and Joe Paulson, who were aides to the president. Obama rarely golfed with elected officials or cabinet members, and none were present on the day of his aunt's funeral.
This decision sparked criticism and debates about the president's priorities. Some viewed Obama's choice to golf during his aunt's funeral as a sign of disrespect. However, it is important to note that presidents' attendance at funerals varies depending on the circumstances and their personal connections. Furthermore, Obama's decision to help with funeral expenses and send condolences reflects his acknowledgment of the loss.
It is worth mentioning that Obama has faced similar controversies during his presidency. In 2015, Obama was criticized for golfing after cancelling his trip to Poland for the funeral of the Polish President, Lech Kaczyński. Additionally, in 2014, Obama golfed while on vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, shortly after condemning the murder of journalist James Foley by ISIS. Obama later conceded that golfing so soon after the tragic event may not have been the best decision in terms of public perception.
While Obama has been scrutinized for combining golfing with certain sensitive events, it is worth noting that he is not the only president to face such criticism. His successor, President Donald Trump, has also been criticized for his frequent golfing trips and has, in turn, accused the media of being biased by not focusing on Obama's golfing habits during his presidency. Despite the criticism, it is important to consider the complexities and demands of the presidency, which may sometimes require balancing leisure activities with official duties and personal matters.
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Obama skipped Justice Scalia's funeral to play golf
In 2016, President Barack Obama faced criticism for choosing not to attend the funeral of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Obama's decision sparked controversy, with some speculating that he opted to play golf instead. However, it is important to clarify that golf was not the reason for his absence.
The death of Justice Scalia ignited immediate political debates, and the White House announced that Obama would not be attending the funeral. Instead, the President planned to pay his respects on Friday when Scalia's body lay in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court building. Vice President Joe Biden, a Catholic like Scalia, attended the funeral services at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest faced questions about the President's plans, including whether they involved golfing. Earnest revealed that Obama and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, would go to the Supreme Court to pay their respects but did not confirm the President's Saturday plans. People close to Scalia's family endorsed Obama's decision not to attend the funeral, and Scalia's son, Eugene, did not initially respond to queries about whether they requested Obama's absence.
While some critics accused Obama of snubbing the funeral, it is worth noting that Presidents do not historically attend all funerals of Supreme Court justices. Additionally, Scalia's Catholicism and the solemnity of the Mass may have been considered when deciding who would attend the funeral, as the Catholic Church discourages distractions during the ceremony. Obama's absence from the funeral does not indicate a lack of respect, and he followed traditions in the way he paid his respects to Scalia.
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Obama's golfing during a Memorial Day weekend was criticised
While it is true that former US President Barack Obama was criticised for golfing during a Memorial Day weekend, it is important to note that he did not golf during a funeral. The criticism surrounding Obama's golfing habits centres on a few specific incidents, but the claim that he golfed during a funeral appears to stem from a confusion of timelines or an interpretation of his absence from certain funerals as a sign of disrespect.
In February 2016, Obama faced scrutiny for not attending the funeral of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. However, he opted to pay his respects when Scalia's body lay in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court building, while Vice President Joe Biden and his wife attended the funeral service. Obama's press secretary stated that the president spent the weekend reviewing dossiers and job histories of potential candidates for Scalia's replacement. While some speculated that Obama's absence from the funeral was due to golfing, this was not the case, and he did not disregard any traditions in the way he paid his respects.
On another occasion in 2015, Obama was criticised for golfing on Sunday after cancelling his trip to Poland to attend the funeral of the Polish President, Lech Kaczyński. However, his decision to golf instead of signing a book of condolences at the Polish embassy was not unique; Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also had yet to sign the book at that time.
Additionally, in 2014, Obama faced criticism for golfing while on vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, shortly after condemning the murder of journalist James Foley by ISIS. Obama later conceded that golfing so soon after the announcement was a mistake, acknowledging the negative perception it created.
It is worth noting that Obama's successor, President Donald Trump, has been criticised for spending far more time at golf clubs and has a larger carbon footprint from air travel associated with golfing than Obama did at the same point in their respective terms. Despite Trump's accusations and attempts to draw attention to Obama's golfing, data shows that Obama had played 98 rounds of golf at this point in his presidency, while Trump had spent all or part of 248 days at a golf course, according to veteran White House correspondent Mark Knoller.
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Obama golfed after condemning the murder of journalist James Foley
In August 2014, U.S. President Barack Obama issued a statement condemning the execution of American journalist James Foley by ISIS militants. Foley, a freelance war correspondent, was abducted in November 2012 in northwestern Syria and was murdered by decapitation in August 2014. Obama's statement came on August 20, 2014, just days after Foley's death was confirmed by his family and the United States National Security Council.
Minutes after condemning Foley's murder, Obama was criticized for golfing while on vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. This decision to golf so soon after announcing the gruesome death of Foley was met with backlash from various commentators, journalists, and conservative partisans. Obama's actions were seen as insensitive and detached, especially since he had pledged justice for Foley's murder.
Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Peters expressed anger at Obama's decision to play golf so soon after making a somber speech about Foley's death. Peters stated that Obama's actions insulted the Foley family and sent the wrong message to ISIS and other terrorist groups. Texas Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert also criticized Obama's detached attitude, suggesting that he wasn't sufficiently engaged in the hunt for Foley's murderer.
Obama later admitted that golfing after condemning Foley's murder was a mistake. He conceded that he should have anticipated how his actions would be perceived, saying, "I should've anticipated the optics." This incident sparked discussions about the appropriateness of the president's actions during times of national tragedy and the potential impact on public perception.
While Obama faced criticism for golfing after condemning Foley's murder, it is important to note that subsequent fact-checking by media outlets revealed that President Donald Trump spent far more time at golf clubs compared to Obama at the same point in their respective terms. Trump's criticism of Obama's golfing habits was, therefore, seen as disingenuous by some.
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Obama's golfing habits compared to Trump's
There were speculations that President Obama missed the funeral of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia to play golf. However, this claim has been refuted, with sources stating that Obama paid his respects when Scalia's body lay in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court building. Obama's press secretary also revealed that the president spent the weekend reading through lengthy dossiers and job histories of potential candidates for Scalia's replacement.
Obama's golfing habits have been a topic of interest and criticism, with his successor, President Trump, frequently commenting on and criticising his golfing outings while on the campaign trail. Trump accused Obama of golfing during a crisis, such as tweeting about Obama playing golf after announcing a meeting on the NYC Ebola outbreak. Trump also criticised Obama for golfing during his vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, minutes after condemning the murder of journalist James Foley. Obama himself conceded that the latter incident was a bad idea in terms of "optics".
Despite Trump's criticisms, data shows that he has spent far more time at golf clubs than Obama had at the same point in their respective terms. Trump has made 30 trips to Palm Beach, Florida, totalling 51,540 miles, while Obama had made three vacation trips to Hawaii, totalling 29,978 miles. Trump has spent all or part of 248 days at a golf course, with CNN counting him at 266 days spending some time at a Trump golf course. In contrast, Obama played 98 rounds of golf through this point in his presidency. Trump has also been spotted playing golf during times of crisis, such as during the memorial weekend when the US coronavirus death toll approached 100,000.
While the exact number of rounds played by Trump is uncertain, as he and his aides often refuse to confirm if he played golf during visits to his golf clubs, it is estimated that he played 75 rounds in his first year and 63 in his second, totalling 138 rounds in his first two years in office, compared to Obama's 31 rounds in the first year and 333 rounds in eight years. Trump's frequent golfing has been noted by critics, who claim he spends less time on the job, often coming into the office after 11 am.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Obama did not attend the funeral of Antonin Scalia, but golf was not a factor in that decision.
Yes, Obama chose to go golfing instead of attending his aunt's funeral.
No, Obama did not attend Margaret Thatcher's funeral, but he sent a small, low-level delegation. However, he was criticized for golfing after the funeral.
Yes, Obama chose to go golfing instead of attending the funeral of the Polish president, Lech Kaczyński.
