- Trump's golf gear, decked out with the presidential seal, was seen during a LIV Golf outing at his Bedminster, New Jersey, course on Thursday.
- Use of the seal for private business could be in violation of federal law.
- While violating the law carries possible fines and prison time, prosecutors have never prioritized charging people who misuse the seal.
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY — Former President Donald Trump hasn't let go of his use of the presidential seal, as seen on much of his golf gear during the LIV Golf pro-am, held at the Trump National Golf Club on Thursday.
His white EZ-GO cart was stamped with the logo in multiple areas — even the former president's towel, hanging off of his red white and blue bag — reminded onlookers of his previous job title.
His use of the logo during private events like this one could possibly be in violation of federal law. The logo is only supposed to be used for official government business, and it's against the law to use it to falsely convey government approval or sponsorship of a private business. Violations can result in fines or up to six months in prison.
Four Trump golf courses were found to have been using the seal, possibly in violation of the law, Forbes reported in June.
But, as Forbes also noted, prosecutors have never prioritized charging people who misuse the seal.
Representatives for Trump didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Trump was joined on the course by his son Eric and LIV pros Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.
"He's actually a really good golfer," DeChambeau told Golfweek of the former president. "He stripes it down the middle of the fairway and has good iron game and putts it pretty well."
Sporting his signature "Make America Great Again" hat, complete with the "45" stitched on the side, Trump and his playing party made their way through the course escorted by a sea of golf carts.
The upstart Saudi-backed LIV Golf has faced widespread criticism, largely for being an apparent vehicle for sportswashing — the term used to describe authoritarian regimes using sports to launder their public image and distract from human rights violations. But it's also attracted attention from advocacy groups for families of 9/11 victims, who protested the event Friday, calling the golfers and former president "cowards" for justifying their participation.
When asked about the protests, Trump, whose course in Miami will also host the LIV Golf finale in October, deflected.
"Nobody's gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately, and they should have, as to the maniacs that did that horrible thing," Trump told ESPN.
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers involved in the 2001 terrorist attacks were Saudi nationals, Insider reported.
The Saudi government has said it had no involvement in the attacks, but people impacted by them have suggested otherwise.
"The evidence, Mr. Trump, is more clear than ever. The Saudi nation is largely responsible for the death of our loved ones and for this horrific attack on America. And you know it," survivors and family members of victims wrote in a letter to Trump.
Trump said Saudi Arabia is doing good for golf.
—The Recount (@therecount) July 28, 2022
"I've known these people for a long time in Saudi Arabia, and they've been friends of mine for a long time," Trump said. "What they're doing for golf is so great."