Tiger Woods is tied up in a police car after a car accident. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Golf icon Tiger Woods was heard telling a deputy, “I was just talking to the president,” moments after crashing his SUV last week, according to newly released body camera footage showing his arrest on a drunken driving charge.Footage taken after the March 27 crash on Jupiter Island does not confirm who Woods was referring to. However, speculation linked Donald Trump, who later expressed concern, calling Woods a “very close friend” and a “terrific guy” who is dealing with “some difficulties.”
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Tiger Woods Arrest Drama: Bloodshot Eyes in Mugshot, Photo of Crash Scene Goes Viral, Trump Responds
According to an AP report, authorities said Woods admitted he was distracted while driving. “I looked at my phone, and all of a sudden — boom,” he told an officer, describing how his speeding SUV hit a truck and rolled onto its side.
No injuries were reported.The video shows Woods appearing disoriented during questioning, hiccupping, yawning and repeatedly falling asleep in the patrol car. When he learned of his arrest, a stunned Woods asked: “Am I going to be arrested?” The representative replied: Yes, sir.Representative Tatiana Levinar, who administered the field sobriety test, concluded: “I believe your natural abilities are impaired…You are under arrest for DUI.”
A search of Woods’ pockets revealed two pills that he identified as Norco, a prescription painkiller containing hydrocodone.Woods insisted he had not consumed alcohol. “I’m not drunk. I’m taking a prescription,” he later told officers, admitting he had taken “some” medication earlier in the day. A breathalyzer test showed no alcohol, though he refused to take a urine test — now a misdemeanor under Florida law.The 50-year-old, who has pleaded not guilty, cited a long history of injuries during the roadside test, including several back and leg surgeries that affected his balance.Widely considered one of golf’s greatest figures, Woods has struggled with persistent injuries in recent years and has not played competitively since the Open Championship in 2024. Following the accident, he announced he would step down indefinitely to focus on his health.
