Commander in Cheat Summary: Trump’s Golf Lies Exposed!

Truth, as Trump reportedly told his wife Melania about her origin (“Say Austria, sounds better”), is always secondary to what “sounds better.”

The “Buy, Lie, and Cry” Business Model:

Reilly dissects Trump’s golf empire strategy:

1. Buy: Snag distressed courses cheaply, often out of bankruptcy.

2. Lie: Immediately proclaim them “the greatest,” “most spectacular,” or “world’s best” (despite none cracking Golf Digest’s Top 100 or even Top 175 US courses), vastly overstating investments (e.g., claiming $200 million poured into Westchester).

3. Cry: Sue local tax authorities, claiming the courses are worth far less than his public boasts to slash his property taxes dramatically. It’s a brazen hypocrisy laid bare.

Win at ALL Costs, Etiquette Be Damned:

Trump’s father drilled into him: “Be a killer.” Winning is everything.

This means not just cheating but trampling golf’s sacred etiquette: driving carts on greens (an absolute sacrilege), ignoring who has the “honor” to tee off first, refusing to concede even the shortest putts (his “Never Concede” motto, stolen along with his family crest, where “Integritas” was replaced with “Trump”).

He bullies neighbors near his courses, stiffs contractors (like architect Andrew Tesoro, paid only 18% of his fee), and fights members in court for years over refundable deposits. Empathy is absent.

Golf Infects Politics:

Reilly argues this mindset bled into the presidency. He played far more golf than Obama (whom he relentlessly criticized for playing), at massive taxpayer expense, often funneling money to his own clubs.

His lukewarm response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico? Reilly suggests it stemmed partly from bitterness over a failed golf venture there that left the island in debt.

His denial of climate change? Contradicted by his own request to build a seawall to protect his Irish course, Doonbeg. Foreign policy and travel bans? Potentially influenced by golf deals in UAE, Indonesia, and China.

In essence, Commander in Cheat posits that golf, a game built on self-policed honesty, reveals Trump as fundamentally lacking integrity. The “stain” he leaves on the game, Reilly concludes, mirrors the stain on the office he held. You don’t truly own the course, or the country.

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Book Main Themes & Ideas: More Than Just Golf

Reilly uses golf as a powerful metaphor to explore broader, critical themes:

• Integrity vs. Dishonesty: Golf is a game of honor. Cheating violates its core spirit. Reilly presents Trump’s rampant cheating as symptomatic of a fundamental lack of personal integrity that extends far beyond the 18th hole.

• Narcissism & The Need to Win: The book explores the psychological drive behind Trump’s actions – an insatiable need to be perceived as the best, the winner, at any cost, fueled by a narcissistic personality that lacks empathy.

• Truth vs. Perception (“The Trump Bump”): A central theme is Trump’s consistent prioritization of how things appear or sound over actual fact. Exaggeration and fabrication are tools to shape reality to his liking.

• Power, Privilege, and Rules: Trump operates under the belief that rules are constraints for others, not for him. His wealth and power allow him to bully, sue, and circumvent norms, both on the golf course (driving on greens) and in business/politics.

• The Corrosive Effect of “Win at All Costs”: Reilly argues that Trump’s ruthless approach corrupts the games he plays (literally, in golf) and the institutions he leads, eroding trust and fair play.

• Conflict of Interest: The book highlights the blatant merging of Trump’s personal business (golf courses) with his public office, raising serious ethical concerns about taxpayer money and influence peddling.

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My Personal Review: Style, Pacing & My Take

Reilly writes like the seasoned, witty sportswriter he is. It’s highly conversational, engaging, and often laugh-out-loud funny, even when the subject matter is grim. He masterfully uses anecdotes – some from his own rounds with Trump, many from his deep reporting – to build his case.

It’s not academic; it’s punchy, opinionated, and reads like a fascinating, if horrifying, gossip session with the ultimate insider. The first-person perspective (“I,” “me”) makes it feel personal and direct.

Accessibility is a 10/10 – you don’t need to be a golf expert or political junkie to get hooked.

The book flies by. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of Trump’s golf malfeasance (cheating, lying about courses, bullying, etc.), packed with jaw-dropping stories. It’s like a series of compelling vignettes that build a cumulative, damning portrait. There are no slow bits.

The anecdotes are so plentiful and outrageous that the pace never lags. You keep turning the page thinking, “He did what?!”

Reilly wraps up powerfully, driving home his central thesis: Trump’s golf behavior is his character, and it made “golf terrible again” for many who love the game’s traditions.

It’s a satisfying conclusion because it directly answers the book’s core question, leaving the reader with a clear, unsettling understanding. The final line, “You don’t own the course,” is a perfect, resonant mic drop.

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Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

I found this book utterly compelling and eye-opening. Reilly’s unique access and his decision to use golf as the lens make it feel fresh and revealing, even amidst the flood of Trump books. The sheer volume of sourced anecdotes (though some are anonymous) is overwhelming evidence for his case.

It’s darkly hilarious but also deeply concerning. The half-star deduction is purely because Reilly’s disdain is very palpable – it’s effective and justified, but readers seeking absolute neutrality won’t find it here.

That said, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Trump’s character, the psychology of power, the game of golf, or just a wildly entertaining (and alarming) read.

Comparison With Other Books:

Unlike dense political bios (Fire and Fury, Fear) focused on White House chaos, or pure golf histories/instructionals, Commander in Cheat carves its own niche.

It’s closest in spirit to Disloyal by Michael Cohen (insider perspective on character flaws) but is uniquely focused through the specific, revealing world of golf. It’s more engaging and original than most standard political exposés because of its narrow, fascinating focus.

About the Author: Rick Reilly

Rick Reilly isn’t just some guy writing about Trump and golf; he’s a legend in sports journalism. For over two decades, he held the coveted back-page column spot in Sports Illustrated, where his witty, insightful, and often deeply human writing became a must-read for millions.

He later took his talents to ESPN. Reilly knows sports inside and out, and golf is a particular passion – he’s authored several golf books, including the hilarious Who’s Your Caddy?, where he famously caddied for celebrities and pros, including… Donald Trump. That book provided some of his initial encounters that fueled Commander in Cheat.

Crucially, Reilly has known Trump for about 30 years. He hasn’t just observed him from afar; he’s played golf with him multiple times, interacted with him socially, and witnessed his behavior firsthand over decades.

This isn’t armchair analysis; it’s boots-on-the-ground (or spikes-on-the-green) reporting from someone deeply embedded in the sports world Trump so desperately wanted to be part of.