Ava Romero
Former US President Barack Obama has been criticized for playing golf during the H1N1 pandemic, which caused over 60 million cases and 12,000 deaths in the US alone. Obama's decision to golf during this time has been contrasted with his criticism of President Trump's golfing habits, with some arguing that the media treated the two presidents differently. Obama's response to the H1N1 pandemic has been scrutinized, with critics arguing that he failed to take necessary measures to slow the spread of the virus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2009 |
| Number of deaths | 12,469 |
| Number of hospitalizations | 274,304 |
| Number of cases | 60 million |
| Obama's response | Failed to respond |
| Obama's actions | Played golf |
| Media response | No criticism |
| Comparison with Trump | Trump was criticized for golfing during a pandemic |
| Number of rounds of golf played by Obama during his presidency | 333 |
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What You'll Learn
Obama's golfing during the H1N1 pandemic
Former US President Barack Obama has been criticized for golfing during the H1N1 pandemic. The H1N1 pandemic, also known as swine flu, occurred during the first year of Obama's presidency, from 2009 to 2010. It infected over 60 million Americans, causing 274,304 hospitalizations and 12,469 deaths.
Obama was accused of failing to take necessary measures to slow down the spread of the virus. He did not declare H1N1 a national emergency until four months after the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared it a pandemic, and by that time, over 1,000 Americans had died. Obama's critics claim that he was too busy golfing to address the crisis adequately. They argue that his failure to impose travel bans, close schools, or take other aggressive actions contributed to the high number of cases and deaths in the United States.
Obama's supporters, however, argue that he was trying to prevent widespread panic by not overreacting to the pandemic. They claim that his decision to go golfing was part of an effort to show that people should not panic and that the situation was under control. Obama himself stated that they wanted to "ensure that in the worst-case scenario, we can manage the situation appropriately."
It is worth noting that Obama's response to the H1N1 pandemic has been compared unfavorably to that of his successor, President Donald Trump. Trump has been criticized for golfing during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some arguing that he should have been more focused on addressing the crisis. Trump and his supporters have pointed to Obama's golfing during the H1N1 pandemic as evidence of hypocrisy among the media and Obama's supporters. They argue that Obama received less criticism for his golfing habits during a national emergency, despite the significant impact of the H1N1 pandemic on the American people.
Obama's golfing habits have been a topic of discussion throughout his presidency. According to various sources, he played between 311 and 333 rounds of golf during his eight years in office, averaging around 41 rounds per year. This has drawn criticism, especially from figures like Trump, who previously chastised Obama for playing too often. Despite this criticism, Obama's passion for the sport persisted, leading to questions about the golfing habits of other presidents.
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Media's response to Obama's actions
The media's response to Obama's actions during the H1N1 pandemic has been the subject of much discussion and scrutiny. Many sources claim that the media did not criticize Obama for his handling of the pandemic, despite the high number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Some even suggest that the media praised Obama for his response, focusing on his message of not panicking rather than his actions or lack thereof.
One common criticism is that the media did not call out Obama for his failure to implement travel bans, school closures, or other measures to slow down the spread of the virus. Instead, it is claimed that the media presented him in a positive light, with some even going as far as to say that the media was complicit in downplaying the severity of the pandemic to prevent widespread panic.
In contrast, articles from PJ Media and Tea Party Pac highlight the difference in media treatment between Obama and his successor, Donald Trump. They argue that Trump was mocked and criticized by the media for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite taking early and decisive actions. These sources claim that there was a coordinated effort by the left and the media to undermine Trump during the COVID-19 crisis, while Obama received favorable coverage during the H1N1 pandemic.
However, it is worth noting that some sources, such as Reuters, only partially agree with the claim that Obama played golf during the H1N1 pandemic, stating that schools did close during that time. This suggests that the media's response to Obama's actions may have been more nuanced than simply praising or ignoring his handling of the pandemic.
Overall, the media's response to Obama's actions during the H1N1 pandemic is a complex issue that has been interpreted differently by various sources. While some accuse the media of bias and downplaying the severity of the crisis, others argue that there were valid reasons for the lack of criticism, such as avoiding widespread panic.
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Comparison to Trump's golfing habits
While Obama faced criticism for golfing during the H1N1 pandemic, his successor, Donald Trump, also received flak for his golfing habits while in office. Trump was mocked for golfing during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, with critics pointing out the irony of him urging the public not to panic. Trump's supporters, however, argued that he rose to the occasion and that his decisive actions saved lives.
Trump's golfing habits were also the subject of media scrutiny, with some outlets claiming that he was one of the "worst golfers in the country". A video circulated online in mid-June 2025, showing Trump swinging a golf club and missing the ball, which was later revealed to be doctored. The original video, published by a Washington, D.C. news station, did not show Trump missing the swing.
Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, also made headlines in June 2025, racking up health violations during a routine inspection. The club's general manager called the inspection "a politically motivated attack", despite the presence of violations such as expired milk, unsanitary butter, and a lack of soap.
While both Obama and Trump were criticised for their golfing habits during public health crises, the media and public reaction to each president varied significantly. Obama's golfing during the H1N1 pandemic was often used as a point of comparison, with some arguing that he faced less criticism from the media than Trump.
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Obama's response to the H1N1 pandemic
Former US President Barack Obama faced criticism for his response to the H1N1 pandemic, which some sources claim infected 60 million Americans and caused 12,469 deaths. Obama was criticised for golfing during the pandemic, specifically on the same day he declared a national emergency. However, some sources claim that Obama's actions were intended to prevent widespread panic. Indeed, the media at the time was also determined to prevent panic, and Obama faced little criticism from mainstream outlets.
During his presidency, Obama played golf frequently, with some sources estimating that he played around 333 rounds in eight years, or once every 8.77 days. This works out at 41 rounds annually. This extensive golfing habit drew criticism, particularly from figures like Trump, who chastised Obama for playing too often. Despite this criticism, Obama's golfing statistics reveal a persistent passion for the sport.
In conclusion, while Obama's response to the H1N1 pandemic included golfing during the crisis, his actions were likely motivated by a desire to prevent widespread panic. His response has been contrasted and criticised by his successor, Donald Trump, who has faced scrutiny for his own golfing habits during times of crisis.
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Obama's golfing frequency as president
Former US President Barack Obama has been criticised for golfing during the H1N1 pandemic of 2009-2010. Obama's critics claim that he went golfing immediately after declaring a national emergency. The H1N1 pandemic caused over 60 million cases, 274,304 hospitalisations, and 12,469 deaths in the US alone. Obama's golfing frequency during the pandemic was seen as an indication of his administration's failure to take strong measures to slow down the spread of the virus.
While the exact number of times Obama played golf during his presidency is unclear, various sources provide estimates. According to Mark Knoller, a CBS News White House correspondent, Obama played 333 rounds of golf during his eight years as president, which equates to once every 8.77 days. CNN reported that, at a similar stage of his presidency, Obama had played 98 rounds of golf. Another source claims that Obama played 105 rounds of golf during his presidency.
Obama's golfing habits have been compared to those of his successor, President Donald Trump. Trump has been criticised for spending a significant amount of time at golf clubs, with estimates ranging from 142 to 285 visits to golf clubs, and 248 to 266 days spent at a golf course. However, it is challenging to determine the exact number of times Trump has played golf, as his aides often do not confirm whether he played during his visits to golf clubs. Despite the criticism directed at Obama for his golfing during the H1N1 pandemic, Trump has faced similar scrutiny for golfing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Obama played golf during the H1N1 pandemic.
Yes, Obama was criticised for golfing during the pandemic, especially as he failed to respond to the crisis and take measures to slow down the spread of the virus.
Obama played 333 rounds of golf during his eight-year presidency, averaging around 41 rounds annually. Trump has faced criticism for his golfing habits, and by the end of his presidency, he had played around 261 rounds, indicating he played 138% more than Obama during a similar time frame.
No, Obama did not impose any travel bans during the H1N1 pandemic.
No, schools remained open during the H1N1 pandemic.
