Pence's Golfing: A Political Distraction Or Strategy?

Former US Vice President Mike Pence is an avid golfer, and the sport has played a pivotal role in his political career. In 2016, Pence went from golfing partner to Donald Trump's vice-presidential pick in just two weeks. During his time in office, Pence faced criticism for choosing to stay at Trump's golf resort in Ireland, despite his official meetings taking place in Dublin, leading to accusations of corruption and conflicts of interest. Pence's decision to enrich his boss' private business sparked outrage, especially considering the distance and logistical challenges involved. This incident highlights the complex dynamics between politics and personal interests, raising questions about the use of public funds and the potential influence of private businesses on governmental decisions.

Mike Pence plays golf with Donald Trump

Former US Vice President Mike Pence is known to play golf with former President Donald Trump. In fact, Pence went from being Trump's golf partner to his vice-presidential pick in just two weeks. Over the July 4 holiday weekend in 2016, Trump invited the Indiana governor to his New Jersey golf club, sparking speculation that Pence could be a potential running mate.

Pence praised Trump's golfing skills, saying, "He's a very good golfer. He beat me like a drum." This was not their first meeting, but it came at a time when potential vice-presidential picks were being actively discussed. After the golf game, Pence attended events and visited county fairs, and the question of who Trump would pick as his running mate continued to build.

Just 13 days after their golf game, Trump appeared with Pence at an event in New York City, announcing his choice. "Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is my first choice, Trump said. "I also admire the fact that he fights for the people, and he also is going to fight for you. He is a solid, solid person."

In September 2019, Pence chose to stay at Trump's golf resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, despite his official duties taking place on the other side of the country in Dublin. Critics accused Pence of corruption, alleging that he used public funds to enrich his boss's private business. Pence's chief-of-staff, Marc Short, stated that the idea for Pence to stay at the resort came from Trump, who suggested it as Pence's family originates from Doonbeg. Trump himself was at another of his resorts in Virginia at the time, marking his 227th day at a golf club owned by him since becoming president in 2017.

Pence stays at Trump's Doonbeg golf resort

US Vice President Mike Pence chose to stay at President Donald Trump's golf resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, despite all his official meetings taking place on the other side of the country in Dublin. Pence's critics accused him of corruption, alleging that he was using public funds to enrich his boss's private business.

Pence arrived in Ireland on Monday, following a trip to Poland, where he met with Simon Coveney, the minister of foreign affairs and trade. He was joined at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg by his wife, Karen, his sister, and his mother. According to his public daily schedule, Pence flew 117 miles from Shannon airport to Dublin, where he held a series of meetings, before flying back and staying a second night at Trump's resort.

Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, said that the idea for the vice president to stay at the resort was Trump's. "I don't think it was a request, like a command... I think that it was a suggestion," Short told reporters. He added that Pence was going to Doonbeg because his family was from there, so Trump offered: "Well, you should stay at my place." Short also noted that there were not a lot of accommodation options in the community. Trump was not allowing Pence and his delegation to stay for free, but the cost of the trip was not disclosed.

Pence's decision to stay at Trump's resort renewed controversy over the spending of taxpayer money on the president's family businesses. It coincided with Trump travelling to another of his resorts in Virginia, marking his 227th day at a golf club owned by him since becoming president in 2017. Trump's use of his various properties for official purposes has been the subject of recurrent criticism, with some arguing that it violates a clause in the US Constitution prohibiting US officials from receiving "emoluments," or payments, from foreign governments.

Trump suggests Pence stay at his resort

US Vice President Mike Pence attracted criticism when he chose to stay at the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, during his official visit in 2019. This was despite the fact that his official duties were taking place nearly 180 miles away in Dublin. Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, told reporters that the decision to stay at the Trump property was made at the president's "suggestion". Short added that Trump had said, "Well, you should stay at my place".

However, President Donald Trump contradicted this claim, saying he had no involvement in Pence's travel arrangements. "I didn't suggest anything, I don't suggest it," he said. "People like my product, what can I tell you? Can't help it."

Critics accused Pence of corruption, arguing that he was using public funds to enrich his boss's private business rather than staying in the Irish capital, where there are hundreds of hotels. Pence's office admitted that the Trump Organization was being paid to host the vice president, although Short said he did not have a cost estimate for the trip.

Pence's stay at the Trump resort coincided with the president travelling to another of his properties, a golf club in Virginia. This marked Trump's 227th day at a golf club owned by him since he became president in 2017.

Pence accused of corruption

In 2016, Mike Pence went from golf partner to Donald Trump's vice-presidential pick in just two weeks. The pair first met on a golf course over the Independence Day weekend, and Trump later invited Pence to his New Jersey golf club.

Pence was accused of corruption in 2019, when he chose to stay at Trump's golf resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, despite his official duties taking place in Dublin on the other side of the country. Critics accused Pence of using public funds to enrich his boss's private business. Pence's chief-of-staff, Marc Short, said that Trump had suggested Pence stay at his resort, and that there were not many accommodation options in Doonbeg. California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu accused Pence on Twitter of "funnelling taxpayer money" to Trump, while the Democratic National Committee tweeted that Pence's choice of hotel meant "your tax dollars: making the Trump family richer".

Pence was also involved in several other corruption scandals while vice president. Lev Parnas, a Rudy Giuliani associate, alleged that Pence was aware of Trump's actions in Ukraine, which were at the center of impeachment proceedings against the president. Parnas also claimed that Pence was involved in parts of a scheme, which Pence denied, saying he did not know Parnas.

In addition, Pence has been accused of hypocrisy in regard to the NFL protests. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, he chose to stay seated when North and South Korean athletes entered during the Parade of Athletes.

Trump denies involvement in Pence's stay

In September 2019, US Vice President Mike Pence stayed at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, despite his official meetings taking place on the other side of the country in Dublin. Pence's decision to stay at President Donald Trump's resort sparked accusations of corruption, as critics claimed he was using public funds to enrich his boss's private business.

Amid the backlash, Trump denied any involvement in Pence's choice of accommodation. "I had no involvement, other than it's a great place, Trump told reporters. He added, "I heard he was going there, but it wasn't my idea for Mike to go there. Mike went there because his family's there. That's my understanding of it."

However, Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, offered a different account. Short told reporters that Trump had suggested Pence stay at his resort, stating, "I don't think it was a request, like a command... I think it was a suggestion... It's like, 'Well, you should stay at my place.'"

The conflicting statements muddled the message around Pence's decision to stay at Trump's property. Democrats and watchdogs expressed outrage, and the House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the matter. The committee sought to determine how the decision was made, the cost of Pence's stay, and whether it violated the US Constitution's emoluments clauses.

Trump's denial of involvement in Pence's stay at his Ireland hotel came amidst a broader impeachment investigation into the president's business dealings and his lawyer's involvement in Ukraine. The intensifying scrutiny added pressure on the embattled president in the lead-up to the next elections.

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