Former president Donald Trump tees off in pro-am event ahead of controversial LIV Golf tournament
BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- Former president Donald Trump teed off Thursday ahead of a controversial tournament at his golf club in Bedminster.
Trump and his son played a LIV Golf pro-am event.
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is putting up a $25 million purse for the four-day tournament.
READ MORE: Families of 9/11 victims protest upcoming LIV Golf tournament in Bedminster over Saudi ties
Families of 9/11 victims have been protesting the tournament, which is taking place just 50 miles from Ground Zero. They point to recently declassified documents they say show Saudi Arabia provided support for the 9/11 hijackers.
"This is such a kick in the gut, a ripping open of the wound again," said Dennis McGinley, with 9/11 Justice.
"Nobody's gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately," Trump said Thursday.
Fifteen of the 19 terrorists who hijacked planes on 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has consistently denied any involvement.
LIV Golf offered their deepest sympathies to 9/11 families.
Meanwhile, protests are planned for outside the tournament Friday.
The golf club will also reportedly host another LIV event later this year.