Bodycam Footage Reveals Tiger Woods’ Shocking Claim of Phone Call with ‘the President’ During DUI Arrest
By Staff Reporter | April 3, 2026
In a stunning development from last week’s high-profile car crash in Florida, newly released bodycam footage shows golf legend Tiger Woods telling deputies he was “just talking to the president” moments before his arrest on DUI charges.[1][2]
The incident unfolded after Woods crashed his SUV in Martin County, Florida. Body camera video, obtained and released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, captures the 15-time major champion hanging up a phone call and casually informing Deputy Tatiana Levenar of his high-profile conversation.[1][2]
The Crash and Initial Response
Woods’ black SUV veered off the road and struck a curb, coming to rest in a precarious position that drew immediate attention from local authorities. Responding to the scene, Deputy Levenar approached the vehicle and found Woods behind the wheel, appearing disoriented.[1]
While waiting for officers, Woods received a phone call. The footage shows him stepping away, pacing back and forth along the street as he spoke. “Alright, you got it. Thank you so much, bye,” Woods said before ending the call and returning to the deputy.[1][2]
When Levenar instructed him to return to the vehicle for sobriety testing, Woods responded calmly: “Yeah, I was just talking to the president.” The identity of “the president” remains unclear. Speculation has swirled online, with some pointing to former President Donald Trump, whose former daughter-in-law Vanessa Trump has been romantically linked to Woods.[1]
Sobriety Tests and Arrest
Despite Woods’ insistence that he had not consumed alcohol—later confirmed by a breathalyzer test showing “triple zeroes”—Deputy Levenar observed signs of impairment.[1][2]
The bodycam records Woods undergoing a series of roadside sobriety tests, including walking a straight line and balancing exercises. His performance raised red flags. “I do believe your normal faculties are impaired, and you’re under an unknown substance, so at this time, you’re under arrest for DUI,” Levenar informed him.[1]
“I’m being arrested?” Woods replied, visibly surprised as handcuffs were applied.[1]
During the arrest, deputies discovered two pills in Woods’ pocket, later identified as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid commonly used for pain relief.[2] Woods admitted to taking “a few” medications earlier that day, though specifics were muted in the released footage. At the sheriff’s office, he reiterated, “I’m not drunk. I’m on a prescription medication.”[1]
Patrol Car Ride and Aftermath
Separate footage from the back of the patrol car paints a picture of Woods struggling during the 15-minute transport to the station. The golf icon is seen hiccuping, yawning excessively, and nodding off repeatedly, further evidencing impairment.[1]
Woods was booked into the Martin County Jail on charges of driving under the influence. He was released after posting bond. This marks a troubling chapter for the 50-year-old athlete, who has battled injuries and prescription painkiller dependency in the past, notably following a 2021 car crash.[1]
“The shameless plug did not help matters in this situation,” noted one report, highlighting how the presidential reference failed to sway officers.[2]
Public Reaction and Woods’ History
The release of the bodycam footage has ignited widespread media coverage and social media buzz. Fans and critics alike are dissecting the video, with many expressing shock at Woods’ demeanor and the casual mention of a presidential call.[1][2]
This DUI arrest echoes Woods’ well-documented personal struggles. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to reckless driving after a similar prescription medication-related incident. More recently, Woods underwent multiple back surgeries, relying on pain management that has come under scrutiny.[1]
Representatives for Woods have not yet commented on the footage or the ongoing case. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office released the video as part of standard procedure, emphasizing transparency in the investigation.[1]
Broader Implications for Sports Icons
Woods’ fall from grace serves as a stark reminder of the pressures faced by elite athletes. Once the undisputed king of golf, his career has been punctuated by triumphs and turbulence, from infidelity scandals to severe injuries.[1]
As legal proceedings unfold, questions linger: Who was on the other end of that phone call? Will this incident impact Woods’ future in professional golf or his public image? For now, the bodycam footage provides an unfiltered glimpse into a moment of vulnerability for one of sports’ greatest figures.[1][2]
The golf world watches closely as Tiger Woods navigates yet another controversy. Updates on the case are expected as it progresses through the courts.