9/11 Survivors To Protest Saudi-Backed Golf Event At Trump's Bedminster Club

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Survivors and families of 9/11 will be protesting and vocalizing their objections to the Saudi Arabian-funded golf series and its tournament outside of former President Donald Trump's golf club in Bedminster.

"As far as I am concerned it's reprehensible. I don't understand how PGA golfers and the former President can turn his back on 9/11 families," said Tim Frolich, a 9/11 survivor who was on the 80th floor and was severely injured when the South Tower collapsed.

The LIV Golf tournament will be held from July 29 to 31 at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. LIV Golf is a private international golf tour funded by Saudi Arabia which has garnered criticism from 9/11 families in the past.

"It's reprehensable. To hold this 50 miles from Ground Zero is a real slap in the face," said Frolich, who grew up in Passaic County.

Frolich said he and other families met with Trump previously when he was a sitting President at the White House during 9/11 anniversary. Frolich says Trump promised the families he would release the FBI investigative documents looking into what happened but never did.

"He looked me in the face. It was a lie what he said. It was clearly a lie," said Frolich.

The FBI investigative documents were recently declassified under President Joe Biden's administration this past September.

Frolich and the other 9/11 survivors and family members plan to address their views about the Saudi government’s role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Saudi's attempts to "sports wash" and the willing complicity of professional golfers choosing to take Saudi payouts during the protest.

"The LIV golf tournament is a clear distraction to take away attention of their sins and what they did 21 years ago," said Frolich. "They sponsored the world's greatest terrorist attack on American soil."

The protest is being held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Clarence Dillon Public Library (corner of Rte. 206 & Lamington Rd.) 2336 Lamington Rd., Bedminster.

The families of those killed on 9/11 previously posted a letter first shared by The New York Times, asking to meet with Trump and that he not hold the event. Read More: 9/11 Families Blast Trump Over Saudi-Backed Golf Event At NJ Club

The LIV Golf Invitational Series, is a new super golf league that will rival against PGA. The Bedminster tournament kicks off on Friday.

Each of the events will have three rounds with 54 holes and no cut, as well as shotgun starts to create a faster pace to the game. This will allow players to play head-to-head against their rivals throughout the year, according to LIV. Read More: Trump's Golf Club To Host New Saudi-Backed Tour In Bedminster

In 2017, Trump's golf club off Lamington Road in Bedminster, Somerset County, had hosted the U.S. Women's Open. The club was set to host the PGA Championship 2022, however, that was terminated in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

"The PGA of America Board of Directors voted tonight to exercise the right to terminate the agreement to play the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster," said Jim Richerson, president of the PGA of America. Read More: Trump National In Bedminster Loses PGA Golf Championship

The decision came days after five people were killed, including two police officers, when a mob of President Trump's supporters rioted at Capitol Hill.

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