Trump accuses New York Times of doctoring photo of his golf club facade

Trump Fumes Over New York Times Photo of His Golf Club

President Donald Trump lashed out Monday night after The New York Times published a photograph of his golf club that he claims was "doctored" to make the property look unappealing.

The Times ran a story Sunday about ethical concerns surrounding Trump's decision to host an international summit at Trump National Doral, his private golf club in Miami. Rather than addressing the ethical questions, Trump focused on the accompanying image.

On Truth Social, Trump accused the publication of using a "DOCTORED" picture of the building's facade, writing: "These people are STONE COLD LOSERS—Totally dishonest. That's why they're going TO HELL, and their subscription numbers are way down!"

The president compared the Times photograph—taken by Scott McIntyre and showing a yellowed facade with dark, dirty spots—to a promotional image from the Trump Organization website, where the facade appears white and pristine.

Earlier in the day, Trump claimed the publication had used a "picture where the facade has been blackened and denigrated by them in order to make it look shoddy, filthy, and just plain BAD."

"They want World Leaders to see this, knowing it is not the 'TRUMP' way," he added.

The outburst marked Trump's second temper tantrum of the day, following his earlier rage over reports of empty seats at his recent Ohio rally.

Dr. Oz Claims Butter Costs $1, Immediately Corrected on Fox News

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, revealed his disconnect from average Americans during a Fox News appearance Monday night.

Holding a pack of butter on air, Oz told host Laura Ingraham: "Stick of butter, bag of peanuts. Butter in America, it's about a buck [for] a stick like this."

Ingraham immediately pushed back: "Where are you shopping? It's not a buck, it's like $4."

Oz stumbled in response: "I just bought this, so it's close to that. Maybe it's going bad!"

According to the Department of Labor, butter costs approximately $4. Former American Heart Association Chairman Craig Beam challenged Oz to a grocery store tour, offering to fly to Washington, D.C., at his own expense to find butter for $1 per pound.

This is not the first time Oz has demonstrated a lack of connection to everyday consumers. During his failed 2022 Senate run in Pennsylvania, he faced widespread criticism after posting an embarrassing video of himself shopping at "Wegner's" (not a real store) while complaining about the cost of crudités.

Trump Suggests Iran Could "Take Out" Los Angeles and San Diego

At a rally in Nebraska Tuesday night, President Trump told supporters that rising prices due to his Iran war and tariff policies were "just a little bit high. It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe—keeping our country safe."

He continued: "They can take out a city. Let them take, let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay. And it's going to be over with very soon. It's essentially almost over with."

Conservative activists have argued Trump was referring to high gas prices rather than suggesting the cities could be attacked. Under that interpretation, Trump was arguing his war—which has killed scores of civilians in the Middle East and an estimated 23 U.S. soldiers—is preventing Iran from waging large-scale attacks on American cities. However, Iran's targets during the war have been U.S. installations in the Middle East, and Iran was not targeting American cities before the war.

California Leaders Respond

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass blasted Trump's remarks as "irresponsible," saying they "could potentially compromise" the city's safety.

"The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives," Bass said in a statement.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria concurred, writing on X: "We are not expendable. And we are never a 'small price to pay.' Keep our city out of your reckless war talk."

California Democratic gubernatorial nominee Xavier Becerra also criticized the president: "Thirteen million Californians call LA and San Diego counties home. Their lives are not a 'small price to pay' or a punchline for Donald Trump."

Economic Impact

Gas prices continue to rise due to Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi militia control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. As of Tuesday morning, the average price of gas nationwide is $4.37 per gallon, while diesel fuel costs $6.32 per gallon.

Trump's claims that the war is nearly over contradict the reality that peace talks have stalled. The president rejected Iran's peace proposal at the U.N. General Assembly last month, and mediators have made little progress. The conflict has escalated in recent days, with Houthis attacking Saudi airports and Saudi Arabia bombing Yemeni targets in response. The midterms are less than one month away.

Trump Melts Down Over Reports of Empty Seats at Ohio Rally

President Donald Trump had a social media meltdown Monday after news outlets reported on sparse attendance at his weekend rally in Ohio.

Trump held the rally at a 4,500-person-capacity high school gymnasium in Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday. By the time he finished speaking, several areas of an upper deck had completely emptied out, according to The New York Times.

Multiple photographs confirmed empty seats in the upper sections, but in a series of lengthy Truth Social posts Monday, Trump claimed the reporting was false and called for the news outlets to be arrested.

"The Ohio Arena was already full to the brim—And yet these people were still trying to get in," Trump wrote, sharing a 30-second clip of a large line of people waiting in the parking lot ahead of the rally. It is unclear whether those people were not admitted.

The president claimed there had been no empty seats and that "thousands of people had to be turned away."

"The New York Times, and many other Artificial Media Outlets, should be arrested for their dishonesty and disservice to our Country," Trump wrote. "When Bernie Sanders has 500 to 1,000 people, they make it sound like it's the biggest event that ever took place. When PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP has 50,000 people, they make it sound like nobody showed up!"

In another post, Trump insisted the "arena" was "totally MAXED OUT." (It was a high school gymnasium.)

Trump then attempted to explain away the empty seats: "What does happen at all of my SOLD OUT Rallies, is that the people in the upper sections tend to migrate down to the Main Floor—The 'migration' process always happens! The Times knows this, and so does everyone else. I never have empty seats—Never have, and never will!"

"In actuality, my Events for very good Republican Politicians are probably more crowded than ever. There are no empty seats, there haven't been for years, and there never will be. The Rallies are 'HOTTER' than ever," he wrote.

The Times reported that Trump's dismal turnout in Ohio was part of a wider trend of waning enthusiasm for the president's speaking events, which have come to feel "more like a farewell tour."

Trump also took aim at his favorite show, Fox & Friends, on Sunday for choosing not to cover the less-than-bursting event.

Trump's Response to Suspected Plague Death in Russia Raises Concerns

President Trump's reaction to the death of a lab worker in Russia due to a suspected plague is not reassuring, observers say.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Trump was asked if he was concerned about the case. He attempted to explain the U.S. government's response, saying he was concerned about what he called "the pneumonia plague."

"Well, I hate to see them having it, it's a rough, it's a rough disease, you know that's a disease that we used to be able to control, but somehow those microbes have gotten stronger and smarter, they're like an army. And we don't have the same medical," Trump said.

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