After crash, Tiger Woods says he was 'talking to the president'
Body camera footage from Tiger Woods' DUI arrest last week revealed the golfer told a deputy he was "just talking to the president" after his SUV crash. The identity of the president and the nature of the conversation remain unclear, but it adds another layer of intrigue to the incident.
Tiger Woods was arrested for DUI in Florida in late March 2026 after his Land Rover SUV crashed and overturned on Jupiter Island. According to Philippine news sources including Philstar and ABS-CBN, the 50-year-old golfer was detained after his vehicle clipped a truck while attempting to overtake on a residential road. He showed signs of impairment including bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, and slow movements, and was found with opioid pills (hydrocodone) in his pocket. Woods passed a breathalyzer test but refused a urine test, leading to charges of misdemeanor DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
Body camera footage released by the Martin County Sheriff's Department revealed additional details not covered in Philippine media. During the interaction with deputies, Woods stated "I was just talking to the president" amid slurred speech and unsteadiness. The identity of the president and nature of the conversation remain unclear. Deputies noted Woods was sweating profusely, lethargic, had constant hiccups, and appeared impaired during field sobriety tests.
Woods pleaded not guilty to the charges and announced on March 31, 2026 that he would "step away" from golf to seek treatment at an inpatient facility to prioritize his health and recovery. He received court permission to leave the United States for treatment. The crash caused approximately $5,000 in damage to the other vehicle, and Woods admitted to using his phone and fiddling with the radio before the accident. No injuries were reported from the incident.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek noted that drug recognition specialists suspected medication or drugs were involved, but no conclusive results were obtained due to Woods' refusal to submit to testing under Florida law. Woods has a prior 2017 DUI arrest and suffered serious leg injuries in a 2021 California crash that required multiple surgeries. His arraignment was scheduled for April 23, 2026, and he was released after posting bond following his arrest.
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