Livid at LIV Golf

Fox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram has more on the backlash and potential deal on 'Special Report.' 

Livid.

At LIV Golf — and its effort to forge an alliance — and potentially consume the PGA Tour.

"It’s called sportswashing," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said at a hearing this week.

He suggests the Saudis may try to mend their image on the global stage by merging with the PGA Tour.

PGA TOUR OFFICIAL VOWS TO MEET WITH 9/11 FAMILIES DURING SENATE HEARING ON PARTNERSHIP WITH SAUDIS

Blumenthal leads the Senate’s panel on "Permanent Investigations." He’s outraged that Saudi-backed LIV Golf may blend with the PGA Tour. He worries about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. The Saudis have jailed dissidents and continue fostering a war in Yemen. Concerns linger about Saudi Arabia’s ties to the 9/11 hijackers. That’s to say nothing of the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., speaks to reporters May 31, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.  (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

So, Blumenthal launched a formal probe.

"Today’s hearing is about much more than the game of golf," said Blumenthal. "It is about how a brutal, repressive regime can buy influence — indeed even take over — a cherished American institution simply to cleanse its public image."

But the framework deal inflamed old concerns about the Saudis dating back to one of the most ignominious dates in American history. Especially as big-name golfers sprinted toward big salaries offered by LIV Golf.

"You had (PGA Tour Commissioner) Jay Monahan on national TV last year at the Canadian Open talking about PGA Tour guys have never had to apologize for working with a regime that’s tied to 9/11," said Mark Harris, who