No comment from White House on PGA-LIV merger, deferring to Saudi government.

The White House Stays Mum on Controversial Golf Tour Merger

The White House declined to comment on Tuesday on the newly announced merger between the PGA and LIV golf tours.

The LIV tour, backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, became a lightning rod for controversy in 2022 over claims Saudi Arabia is attempting to “sports wash” its human rights record. Former President Donald Trump personally partnered with LIV and hosted multiple tournaments at his private clubs over the past two seasons.

Human Rights Concerns

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced questions Tuesday about the merger, given Saudi Arabia’s numerous recent human rights violations, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but both declined to weigh in on the deal.

• Kirby deferred questions on the topic back to the Saudi government
• Jean-Pierre reiterated President Joe Biden’s commitment to protecting human rights in nations across the globe

“I’m going to be in line with my NSC colleague and say the same. I’m not going to be commenting on that particular merger. So we don’t have anything to share at this time,” Jean-Pierre added. “When it comes to human rights, as we have said over and over again, this is something that the president has been very clear about and has brought that up with leaders that he’s met with. And so that is never anything that we shy away from, but on this particular merger, we’re just not going to comment from here.”

Despite the White House’s silence, the controversial merger continues to draw attention and criticism. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

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