Trump compared to Emperor Nero for 'fiddling while Rome burns'
Share and Follow

President Donald Trump is being compared to Emperor Nero for spending the weekend playing golf after his tariff announcement triggered a market collapse. 

The legend surrounding the Roman Emperor Nero is that he started a fire that burned most of Rome – and played the fiddle while it was happening. 

Historians doubt that the story is true, but comparisons to Nero are made when a leader is out to lunch during a tragedy. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted to X Saturday: ‘Nero fiddled. Trump golfed.’ 

Schumer’s former aide and the host of the Aggressive Progressive podcast Chris Hahn also chimed in Saturday dubbing Trump ‘President Nero’ in an X post. 

Hahn was responding to Bloomberg News’ Josh Wingrove reporting that the White House had sent out a statement saying that the president ‘won his second round matchup of the Senior Club Championship today in Jupiter, FL, and advances to the Championship Round tomorrow.’ 

MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski had shared an image of Trump golfing at his West Palm Beach course, making the comparison on Friday.

‘Here he is today, America. Emperor Caligula Nero Trump. Golfing away in FL while tanking the economy,’ Filipkowski wrote, sharing a picture of Trump on the course. 

MeidasTouch's editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski made the Nero comparison in a post Friday. President Donald Trump announced his tariff plan on Wednesday and then headed to Florida Thursday, playing golf every day of the three day weekend he took

MeidasTouch’s editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski made the Nero comparison in a post Friday. President Donald Trump announced his tariff plan on Wednesday and then headed to Florida Thursday, playing golf every day of the three day weekend he took 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, wrote 'Nero fiddled. Trump golfed,' in a post early Saturday morning. Trump would play a golf championship over Saturday and Sunday at his Jupiter, Florida golf club

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, wrote ‘Nero fiddled. Trump golfed,’ in a post early Saturday morning. Trump would play a golf championship over Saturday and Sunday at his Jupiter, Florida golf club 

Even before Trump’s tariff announcement caused major market uheaval, the Republican president was getting compared to Nero.  

In March, French politician Claude Malhuret went after Trump and DOGE leader Elon Musk in a fiery speech. 

‘Washington has become Nero’s court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers and a buffoon on ketamine in charge of purging the civil service,’ Malhuret said, according to France24.  

The optics around Trump and golf have traditionally not hurt the Republican president politically – despite the fact that he criticized President Barack Obama for golfing during the Democrat’s eight years in office. 

But once Trump came into office in 2017, he played golf at either his West Palm Beach course or in Bedminster, New Jersey nearly every weekend. 

Since returning to office in January, Trump has only spent one weekend in Washington, D.C. 

On Wednesday, Trump announced his tariff plan in the White House Rose Garden. 

And then on Thursday, he flew to Miami for a dinner marking the start of the LIV Golf tournament. 

President Donald Trump (left) rides in a golf cart with his son Eric (center right) after arriving Thursday to his Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami where he attended a dinner to kick off the LIVE Golf tournament taking place on that course

President Donald Trump (left) rides in a golf cart with his son Eric (center right) after arriving Thursday to his Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami where he attended a dinner to kick off the LIVE Golf tournament taking place on that course 

Chris Hahn, a former aide to Schumer and who hosts the Aggressive Progressive podcast, made the link between Trump and Nero in a post Saturday afternoon, after the White House pool informed the public that the president was in first place

Chris Hahn, a former aide to Schumer and who hosts the Aggressive Progressive podcast, made the link between Trump and Nero in a post Saturday afternoon, after the White House pool informed the public that the president was in first place 

President Donald Trump is seen in his motorcade arriving at his Jupiter, Florida golf couse on Sunday. He departed Washington, D.C. Thursday afternoon for a long weekend in Florida, where he played golf for three days straight amid major market turmoil

President Donald Trump is seen in his motorcade arriving at his Jupiter, Florida golf couse on Sunday. He departed Washington, D.C. Thursday afternoon for a long weekend in Florida, where he played golf for three days straight amid major market turmoil 

On Friday, he played golf at his West Palm Beach course – the closest to Mar-a-Lago. 

And then on Saturday, he rode in his motorcade to Trump National Golf Club Jupiter – marking the first time he played that particular course during his second term. 

On Sunday, Trump returned to the Jupiter, Florida course to finish the championship. 

Asked by DailyMail.com on board Air Force One Sunday evening how the golf tournament went, Trump confirmed his win. 

It was ‘very good, because I won,’ the president said. 

‘It was good to win,’ he added. 

He then bristled at a Bloomberg reporter for asking if there was an amount of ‘pain in the market at some point you’re unwilling to tolerate.’ 

‘I think your question is so stupid,’ the president told the journalist. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Fresh hell for family of missing toddler who broke America's heart

Heartbreaking Update for Family of Missing Toddler Who Captured America’s Attention

One cannot help but be captivated by the bright blue eyes and…
Priyanka Chopra clings to Nick Jonas at Golden Globe Awards

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Share a Heartwarming Moment at the Golden Globe Awards

In the realm of television, the battle for the title of Best…
Behind Iran's deadly internet blackout

Exploring the Impact of Iran’s Severe Internet Blackout

In a courageous defiance of their government’s brutal internet blackout, Iranian protesters…
Netanyahu and Rubio discuss US military intervention in Iran amid ongoing nationwide protests: report

Netanyahu and Rubio Deliberate on Potential US Military Intervention in Iran Amid Persistent National Protests: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently engaged in a phone conversation with…
Chicago squatting: Lashawn Rankine, accused of squatting in Evergreen Park, pleads guilty to residential burglary, records show

Chicago Squatting Scandal: Lashawn Rankine’s Guilty Plea in Evergreen Park Burglary Revealed

A Chicago man has admitted guilt in a case of residential burglary…
Deadly avalanche claims 2 snowmobilers in Washington state backcountry, 2 rescued

Tragic Avalanche in Washington Backcountry: Two Snowmobilers Lose Lives, Two Others Rescued

Authorities in Washington state revealed on Saturday that two men tragically lost…
Steven Bartlett proposed to his yoga guru girlfriend  in Morocco

Steven Bartlett Proposes to His Yoga Instructor Girlfriend During Moroccan Getaway

Steven Bartlett, the well-known entrepreneur from “Dragons’ Den,” recently proposed to his…
Amanda Seyfried caught mocking star after Golden Globes loss

Amanda Seyfried’s Surprising Reaction to Golden Globes Snub Sparks Controversy

Amanda Seyfried captured attention at the 2026 Golden Globes when cameras highlighted…