President Trump denied that he ever spoke to the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom about moving the British Open to his resort in Scotland.
The president responded on Wednesday to a New York Times report that Trump was interested in having the British Open take place at his Turnberry resort in Scotland back in 2018. The paper reported that he requested that U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Robert Wood Johnson IV look into the possibility. Johnson allegedly brought up the issue with Scotland’s Secretary of State, David Mundell.
The White House initially declined to comment on the issue, but a White House spokeswoman told the New York Times on Wednesday that “the President never spoke to Ambassador Johnson about this.” Trump reiterated that sentiment when asked about the reports in a press conference the same day.
“I never spoke to Woody Johnson about that,” he told reporters. “Turnberry is a highly respected course, as you know, one of the best in the world.”
CNN also reported that Johnson came under investigation by the State Department’s inspector general on the basis of the allegations as well as accusations that the ambassador has made sexist and racist remarks. It is unclear if the investigation is still ongoing.
In a conversation with CNN, Johnson did not deny the allegations, calling his opportunity to serve as an ambassador the “honor of a lifetime.” In a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, however, he said, “I have followed the ethical rules and requirements of my office at all times. These false claims of insensitive remarks about race and gender are totally inconsistent with my longstanding record and values.”
A statement from the British government also denied the allegations, asserting that Johnson “made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.”
Even if Johnson did discuss the tournament with Mundell, the conversation doesn’t appear to have had any effect. None of the next four British Opens are scheduled to take place at the president’s resort.
