President Trump visit draws protest
President Donald J. Trump is expected to attend the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 27. Roughly 100 demonstrators gathered on September 24 ahead of his visit.
Protesters assembled near Medinah Road and Irving Park Road in DuPage County. Organizers used the message “Kick Trump out of Illinois” while criticizing immigration enforcement and actions involving Iran.
Medinah protest draws about 100 people
Cristóbal Cavazos helped lead the September 24 demonstration near Medinah Country Club. Before the rally, he said organizers wanted Trump out of Illinois, called for his impeachment and urged legal status for immigrants.
Roughly 100 protesters gathered near Medinah Road and Irving Park Road. Demonstrators carried signs and chanted while the opening round of the Presidents Cup continued at the nearby club.
Trump immigration policy draws criticism
Immigration enforcement was one of the major reasons cited by protesters. Organizers connected Trump’s visit with Operation Midway Blitz, the federal immigration campaign launched by officials in Illinois on September 8, 2025.
The campaign led to thousands of arrests and deportations in the Chicago area. Federal officials said officers were conducting immigration enforcement operations while critics challenged the campaign’s tactics and effects.
Trump Iran policy draws protest criticism
Demonstrators also cited the United States conflict with Iran when explaining their opposition to Trump’s visit. Protesters criticized the conflict and the administration’s immigration enforcement policies during 2026.
President Trump defended the Iran conflict during his September 2026 United Nations address, arguing that the decision served the United States security interests. Protesters in Illinois continued to publicly oppose that policy.
President Trump serves as honorary chairman
President Trump accepted the role of honorary chairman for the 2026 Presidents Cup on August 29. PGA Tour Chief Executive Officer Brian Rolapp said the invitation continued the tournament’s leadership tradition.
The 2026 event marks Trump’s second time serving as honorary chairman. He held the role in 2017 at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey and joined Sunday’s trophy ceremony.
President Trump is expected Sunday
Officials expect President Trump to attend the final round on Sunday, September 27. The schedule lists 12 singles matches, with gates opening at 9 AM and play starting at 11:02 AM.
President Trump said he accepted the visit at the PGA Tour’s request and planned to greet players from both teams. Detailed movements remain limited because presidential travel requires security coordination.
Secret Service prepares for Trump visit
The United States Secret Service began coordinating security before President Trump’s expected appearance. The plan involves the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police, the PGA Tour personnel, and law enforcement agencies.
Special Agent Derek Mayer said presidential travel would tighten traffic around Medinah and could temporarily affect aviation. Tournament organizers advised visitors to allow additional travel time during President Trump’s visit.
Presidents Cup brings 24 golfers together
The Presidents Cup features 12 United States golfers against 12 players from outside Europe. The 2026 event is the tournament’s 16th edition, with practice days on September 22 and 23.
Competition runs from September 24 through September 27. The United States entered Medinah with a 13-1-1 record, including the International Team’s 1998 victory and the 2003 tie in South Africa.
Medinah hosts another global golf event
Medinah Country Club sits about 25 miles west of downtown Chicago and is hosting its first Presidents Cup. Course No. 3 previously staged the 2012 Ryder Cup and several championships.
Medinah is the sixth U.S. golf course to host the Presidents Cup. Its championship history also includes the 2019 BMW Championship, the 1988 U.S. Senior Open, and three Western Opens.
Presidents Cup brings regional spending
Tournament organizers estimated the Presidents Cup could generate about $175 million in economic activity. Visitors were expected to spend money at hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and recreation businesses around Chicago.
More than 30,000 spectators are expected each day of the competition, from Thursday through Sunday. Organizers spent three and a half years preparing Medinah with seating, hospitality areas, transportation systems, and infrastructure.
Fun fact: Medinah once had a 50-foot ski jump and polo grounds, proving this golf club spent the 1920s behaving like a country-club amusement park.
Republican groups skip organized response
Several suburban Republican organizations said they were not planning counterprotests near Medinah. DuPage County Republican Chairman Kevin Coyne said local businesses wanted the tournament to proceed without disruptions affecting visitors.
Coyne said individual Trump supporters might still appear, but his organization did not plan an on-site party event. The September 24 protest was organized by groups opposing President Trump’s policies.
Presidents Cup competition continues
The Presidents Cup began competition on September 24 after two practice days at Medinah. The United States took a 3-2 lead after Thursday’s five fourball matches against the International Team.
Friday features five foursomes matches, followed by eight Saturday matches and 12 singles contests on Sunday. The first team to 15.5 points wins, while a 15-15 result shares the Cup jointly.
Fred Couples turns away before an incredible shot drops in the hole, capturing the kind of veteran confidence and timing that can make a routine tournament moment instantly memorable.
President Trump visit closes tournament week
President Trump’s expected Sunday appearance takes place on the closing day of an international golf event. Protest organizers promoted demonstrations while security officials continued preparations around Medinah Country Club.
Political activity remains separate from tournament competition. Golf continues through September 27, while demonstrators, law enforcement agencies, organizers, and spectators prepare for President Trump’s expected attendance during Sunday’s final round.
Scottie Scheffler shuts down recurring narrative about U.S. golf team, offering a player’s perspective on how team chemistry and expectations shape American performance in international competition.
Should major sporting events welcome presidential appearances despite nearby protests, or should organizers keep politics separate from competition? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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