Chants Erupt As Air Force One Screams Over

Soldiers walking with fighter jets flying overhead at sunset — Photo: BPTU / Shutterstock

Air Force One roared over Medinah Country Club, and the crowd below erupted before President Trump ever set foot on the course.

Story Snapshot

President Trump attended the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club near Chicago on Sunday, September 27, as Honorary Chairman.
Air Force One flew directly over the course before landing, drawing loud cheers and “USA” chants from spectators.
Trump presented the trophy to Team USA captain Brandt Snedeker after the Americans rallied to retain the Cup.
His visit brought tight security, protests outside the club, and heavy traffic around O’Hare International Airport.

A President’s Entrance Fit For A Champion

President Trump touched down in the Chicago area Sunday morning aboard Air Force One, flying directly over Medinah Country Club before landing. Spectators packed into the horseshoe-shaped grandstand heard the plane before they saw it, and the buzz beat out even the commercial jets gliding toward O’Hare every seventy seconds that week. His motorcade then made the trip to the golf course for the tournament’s closing day.

Gates opened at eight that morning, but organizers did not expect the president until the closing ceremony around eleven. By then, the grandstand had filled with fans eager for a glimpse of the sitting president walking the fairways. When he arrived, the response was immediate and loud, with chants of “USA” and “Four More Years!” breaking out among the golf-loving crowd.

An Honor He Has Held Before

Trump accepted the role of Honorary Chairman for the 2026 Presidents Cup back in late August, continuing a tradition set by six U.S. presidents before him. He held the same title once before, in 2017, when the tournament was played at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey. The duties are simple: show up, greet the players, and hand over the trophy. Team selection and coaching stay with the captains.

This year’s matchup pitted Brandt Snedeker’s American squad against Geoff Ogilvy’s International Team, with the Americans working to defend their Cup. Team USA staged a dramatic final-day comeback to hold onto the trophy, and Trump stayed through the finish to watch it happen. He then joined the on-course celebration, presenting the Cup to Snedeker as players and fans looked on.

Security, Protests, And The Cost Of A Presidential Visit

A presidential appearance never comes without a price tag in manpower and disruption. Supporters and protesters organized separate gatherings outside the club ahead of Trump’s arrival, and law enforcement stepped up patrols across the Medinah area. Ticket prices for the week ranged from around one hundred nineteen dollars for general grounds access up to four hundred thirty-nine dollars for premium hospitality packages, reflecting the scale of interest even before the president’s visit was locked in.

Donald Trump attended the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club in Illinois, arriving for the final day of the golf competition and visiting the first tee. Demonstrators rallied nearby, using the slogan “Kick Trump out of Illinois” as they protested his visit. The event marked… pic.twitter.com/6IZNHhUVco

— Cool X Media Group (@teslamillion) September 28, 2026

None of this surprised anyone who has watched Trump move through the sports world since returning to office. His appearances at major events, from the Ryder Cup to the U.S. Open, have followed a consistent pattern: tightened security, packed crowds, and a mixed reaction that splits sharply along political lines. At Medinah, the loudest voices belonged to supporters chanting his name, a scene that speaks to the genuine enthusiasm many Americans still hold for a president who shows up in person rather than staying behind a podium.