President Donald Trump addressed Tiger Woods’ DUI in an interview with the New York Post, telling the tabloid that the golfer “lives a life of pain” from old injuries but is “doing great.”

During a Tuesday phone call with the Post, Trump noted that Woods had “tested negative for alcohol,” but is “under a tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments, you know, the back and the leg.”

“He lives a life of pain. He has a lot of pain. He’s an amazing guy. He’s an amazing athlete. He does have pain,” Trump repeated. “He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain.”

Woods, who is dating the president’s former daughter-in law, Vanessa Trump, allegedly had two hydrocodone pills in his pocket when he was arrested in Jupiter Island, Florida, last Friday after clipping a truck and overturning his own car.

An arrest report from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office describes the golfer as being in a “lethargic” state. Hydrocodone is an opiate used for pain management, best known under the brand names Vicodin and Norco. Among its side effects are dizziness and extreme drowsiness.

Trump told the Post that he wasn’t worried about the PGA champion having a substance abuse issue.

The two men are close and have gone golfing together on multiple occasions. They also have well-documented business ties, most prominently when Woods helped design a golf course for Trump’s Dubai property.

In 2019, Trump awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“Tiger Woods is a global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive,” the president said during the ceremony. “These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing boundaries, defying limits and always striving for greatness.”

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