Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – Former President Barack Obama’s recent appearance with bandages on his hand has sparked false claims suggesting his involvement in the death of his personal chef, Tafari Campbell. Photos of Obama golfing on Martha’s Vineyard have fueled conspiracy theories surrounding Campbell’s drowning in the waters near the former president’s summer home on the Massachusetts island. However, these claims have been debunked by Obama’s spokesperson, who confirmed that the bandages were actually golfer’s tape used to prevent blisters and split calluses.
The images, originally published by The Daily Mail, show Obama wearing a white glove on his right hand and bandages on two fingers of his left hand while golfing at the Vineyard Golf Club. The false claims implying Obama’s involvement in Campbell’s death have been circulating on social media, with some suggesting that the bandages indicate suspicious behavior. However, golfing experts have confirmed that the former president has been photographed numerous times wearing similar finger coverings while out on the fairway, particularly during his family’s summer getaways to Martha’s Vineyard.
Eric Schultz, an Obama spokesperson, explained that the bandages were actually golfer’s tape and had been a standard practice for the former president for many years. The tape helps prevent painful blisters or split calluses caused by the friction and movement of the golf club. Additionally, the placement of the wraps on Obama’s fingers is considered fairly typical for golfers.
Furthermore, Steve Eisenberg, a PGA-certified golf pro, added that blisters tend to develop during long stretches of playing or after a period of inactivity. He also noted that Obama is a left-handed golfer, which explains why he opted to use tape on that hand while his right hand, considered his “lead hand,” was gloved for protection and grip stability.
It is important to note that Campbell’s drowning on July 23 near Obama’s waterfront estate was not considered suspicious by Massachusetts authorities. This misinformation surrounding Obama’s hand bandages underscores the need for accurate information to counter misleading content circulating online. This effort to address widely shared misinformation is crucial in combating false claims and conspiracy theories.