Report: Golf Partner Convinced Trump to Pardon Client During 18 Holes

President Donald Trump issued a full pardon to entertainment executive Timothy Leiweke on Thursday, reportedly just weeks after playing a round of golf at Mar-a-Lago with Leiwekes lawyer, former congressman and prosecutor Trey Gowdy. Sources familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal that during the 18-hole game on November 16, Trump asked Gowdy if there was any matter he could assist with. Gowdy allegedly raised concerns that Leiweke was facing unfair treatment in a case initiated by Trumps own Justice Department regarding ticket pricing regulations.

Three weeks after that golf meeting, Trump officially pardoned Leiweke. Gowdy told the WSJ he was grateful to discuss the issue with the president, noting that the final decision rested with Trump alone.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson commented, President Trump is the final decider on any pardon or commutation and is exercising his constitutional authority to issue them as he deems necessary.

The pardon effectively nullifies the Justice Departments criminal case against Leiweke, which accused him of manipulating the $375 million University of Texas basketball arena bid. It also impacts a related civil case addressing competition and pricing in live events.

Leiweke, who pleaded not guilty, had faced up to 10 years in prison and a potential $1 million fine. He was accused of attempting to divert business from a rival company co-founded by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, using Live Nation CEO Irving Azoff as a middleman.

After the pardon, Leiweke expressed gratitude to Trump over the phone and stated his intention to launch a new business and acquire a sports team. Im going to do it again, he reportedly said.

Gowdy, who represented South Carolinas 4th District from 2011 to 2019 and chaired the House Benghazi Committee, allegedly persuaded Trump to act in Leiwekes favor during their Mar-a-Lago golf outing. Gowdy now works as an attorney, media contributor, and policy advocate, and holds a reported 3.4 golf handicap.

With the criminal case dismissed, Leiweke initially declined to assist the Justice Department in a related civil inquiry into Live Nation, citing his right against self-incrimination. He plans to cooperate once the formal criminal proceedings are concluded.

The pardon comes amid broader Justice Department efforts to address rising U.S. concert ticket prices through antitrust measures. Last year, the department filed a 128-page lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, alleging anti-competitive practices and inflated ticket costs, which the company disputes.

Author: Logan Reeves