Trump defends Saudi-backed tour playing at Bedminister: 'Nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11'

Former President Trump and former first lady Melania Trump arrived at Gotham Hall in Manhattan for the LIV Golf welcome party Wednesday night ahead of the pro-am event event at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. Trump was seen talking to LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman and team captain Dustin Johnson.

Former President Donald Trump defended allowing the LIV Golf Tournament to play at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey, after families of those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks urged him to back out over the tour's ties to Saudi Arabia. 

Trump told ESPN that criticism of Saudi Arabia, which for years has faced accusations of funding terrorism, should not impact the tournament. 

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"Nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately," said Trump. "They should have, as to the maniacs that did that horrible thing to our city, to the country, to the world. So nobody's really been there." 

Former President Donald Trump watches his shot from the first tee during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Before the remarks, Trump teed off at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminister for LIV Golf's pro-am event. The Saudi-backed league is scheduled to host its third tournament of the season this weekend at the club. 

"I can tell you that there are a lot of really great people that are out here today, and we’re gonna have a lot of fun, and we’re going to celebrate," said Trump. "Money’s going to charity, a lot of money’s going to charity, and you have really the best players in the world." 

FORMER SAUDI