Rick Reilly

"Commander in Cheat" is a book about President Trump, told mostly through Trump's approach to golf. The author, Rick Reilly, a golf lover and one who respects the game, has no respect for anyone who doesn't treat the game with that same respect. Golfers who have played with Trump point out how Trump, or his caddie, are notorious for kicking his ball from rough to fairway, and sometimes doing the opposite to his opponent's ball, assuming his putts are "gimmies", throwing his ball out of sand traps, miscounting his strokes, and any of a variety of miscues on the golf course. Reilly, a golf purist, wonders if Trump cheats at golf, as has been widely reported, and lies about his scores, will he be that much different in how he leads the rest of his life? The author then proceeds to try to make that very point, giving examples which show the parallel between Trump's approach to golf and his approach to life.

While clearly giving a harsh review of Trump, as a person and as the President, there were passages which humanized Trump, and gave insights into why many Trump golf buddies easily overlook his abrasive traits, his lies and what he says to and about his enemies. Many male athletes are accustomed to "locker room" behavior, macho posturing, good-natured name calling and insults. That sophomoric type of behavior while playing games can be isolated and treated as just playing a role, even if it's not a behavior which is socially acceptable on the outside. But there is a lot of teasing and insults which take place in sports, with boys just being boys, and in those circles, most don't take it too seriously. The NBA is notorious for all the trash-talking which goes on between players during the game, little of any of it carries over afterwards.

Trump's fellow golfers recognize that Trump may not count all his strokes, or have his caddie kick a ball back into the fairway from the rough, or use his "hand wedge" to get a ball out of a trap and onto the green, or simply take "gimme" puts which aren't warranted. But they excuse it as Trump being Trump. They're just having a good time, and since they play on Trump owned courses, it's all just part of the game. To most, it's just harmless fun, knowing in advance that it'll all happen, and that Trump will "win" when the day is over. But Reilly, being a golf purist, things these Trump traits are serious character flaws.

Of course, what makes things less palatable are stories told by many about Trump taking that "must win" behavior to his business dealings. Especially troubling is Trump's propensity to stiff small-business owners who work for him. This has been documented for years, going back to his real estate development and casino owner career. Too often, Trump fails to pay vendors their full contracted amount, and forces them to take only a percentage of what is owed. Trump has his team of lawyers, already on the payroll, who are happy to tie up any lawsuit in court, leaving the small business owner with unpaid bills for years. When the vendor has spent money on supplies, and has employees to pay, and overhead costs, and works for many months on a Trump job, he will go out of business without full payment for his services. Facing that dilemma, vendors often are willing to take something, anything, to at least cover part of their losses. And Trump knows that he can always win that battle, since the little guy can't tolerate the loss. Reilly makes the point that cheating at golf may be harmless fun by the owner of a golf course, but a serious character flaw which will prove harmful to anyone who deals with Trump in business, trade, or political matters as well.… (more)