PGA pulls major championship from Trump's New Jersey golf club: 'Detrimental to the PGA America brand'

The backlash against President Donald Trump has now entered the sports world.

The PGA announced Sunday that it will relocate the 2022 PGA Championship that was scheduled to take place at Trump's New Jersey golf club, Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.

"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," PGA of America President Jim Richerson announced Sunday.

Richerson explained in a video address:

It has become clear that conducting the PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster would be detrimental to the PGA of America brand, it would put at risk the PGA's ability to deliver our many programs, and sustain the longevity of our mission. Our board has thus made the decision to exercise our right to terminate the contract to hold the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster. It was a decision made to ensure that PGA of America and the PGA professionals can continue to lead and grow our great game for decades to come.

The PGA awarded the property the coveted annual tournament in 2014, ESPN reported, and it would have become the first of Trump's golf properties to hold a major tournament in men's golf.

How did Trump respond?

The Trump Organization signaled that it would pursue a legal challenge of the PGA's decision.

"This is a breach of a binding contract, and they have no right to terminate the agreement," a spokesperson said, ESPN reported.

"As an organization, we have invested many, many millions of dollars in the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster," the spokesperson added.

What's the background?

After the deadly violence at the U.S. Capitol last week, Democrats and many Republicans have placed blame on Trump, claiming that his rhetoric about a "stolen election" incited the violence.

Aside from the political ramifications facing Trump — including Democrats calling for Trump's impeachment and many Republicans calling for Trump's resignation or removal from office via the 25th Amendment — numerous organizations, particularly those in Big Tech, have taken action against the president.

On Friday, Twitter permanently banned Trump's account, citing "risk of further incitement of violence." Numerous other social media networks and online services have taken action against Trump or Trump-related content, including: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitch, Reddit, among many others.

Even Shopify and Stripe, which processed online payments for the Trump campaign, have severed ties with Trump.