Date of Posting: October 28, 2025, 08:00h.
Last update: October 28, 2025, 08:00h.
- President Donald Trump received a putter formerly used by the late Shinzo Abe from Japan
- Abe and Trump shared a strong friendship, often bonding over golf
During his Asia tour, Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, presented a heartfelt gift to President Donald Trump that resonated deeply with him.
Trump is on a significant tour across Asia, dubbed “historic” by the White House, focusing on establishing peace agreements, reducing trade restrictions, and securing crucial mineral trade deals. He has met numerous global leaders from Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia.
On Monday night, Trump had a meeting with Takaichi, who is the first female leader of Japan. He quickly developed a positive impression of Takaichi after she spoke of entering a “golden age” in US-Japan relations and signed an agreement to secure the mining and processing of rare-earth elements and other crucial minerals.
Takaichi further endeared herself to Trump by gifting him a golf putter that was once owned by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
“Did he use this putter?” Trump inquired. “Yes,” Takaichi confirmed. “Such an incredible man; such an incredible man,” Trump responded.
Abe was regarded as one of Trump’s favored foreign leaders during his initial term, as they shared numerous commonalities.
Connections Between Trump and Abe
Shortly after his 2016 presidential election victory, Abe left the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit early to meet with Trump at Trump Tower. Their relationship grew, with frequent discussions and their first official meeting taking place at Mar-a-Lago soon after Trump’s inauguration.
Both Trump and Abe shared a passion for golf, famously playing a round together in February 2017 alongside Ernie Els at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida.
“Thrilled to host Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the U.S.!” Trump tweeted on February 11, 2017, along with a photo from their golf outing.
Trump and Abe played together again in November 2017 at Kasumigaseki Country Club, in April 2018 at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, and once more in May 2019 at Mobara Country Club.
Abe’s recent gift to Trump was not their first exchange of golf-related presents. In 2016, Abe gifted Trump a gold-colored Honma Beres S-O5 driver.
Shared Interests: Casinos and Assassination Attempts
The friendship between Abe and Trump extended beyond their love for golf; both viewed casinos as potential catalysts for economic growth.
Trump accrued part of his fortune through casinos located in Atlantic City and Northwest Indiana, while Abe advocated for the establishment of integrated resort (IR) casinos through legislation supported by his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
As the new leader of the LDP, Takaichi is set to revive ambitions for the casino industry, with only one casino, MGM Osaka, currently approved from the first bidding rounds.
In addition to their shared interests in golf and casinos, both leaders faced assassination attempts. Trump narrowly escaped two attempts in July and September 2024 in Pennsylvania and Florida.
Abe, however, was not spared.
On July 8, 2022, Abe was fatally shot while giving a campaign speech in Nara. Recently, a 45-year-old man admitted guilt for this act.
This man cited resentment towards Abe for endorsing the Unification Church, as his mother had contributed a substantial amount—around 100 million yen (approximately $663K)—to the organization.