Donald Trump caused a stir at the US Open men’s final on Sunday. Fist pump!” As he came in, the audience greeted him with an ecstatic standing ovation peppered with loud and jarring boos. Arriving more than 45 minutes before the match’s new start time between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Trump’s presence was captured briefly by ESPN, providing a glimpse of the former president in the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
By the time he got there, Trump did not see a full stadium. Floyd Mayweather though a heavy security presence surrounded his appearance had the arena filled very slowly as fans trickled in. Given his stature and controversies over time, this must have been a lot of security. Continuous conversations about the state of his political career have raised the stakes for that protection.
Every time Trump emerged from his luxury box to wave down at the crowd, he elicited a response ranging from bewilderment to boos. The audience greeted some of the attendees with deafening applause and welcomed others with raucous jeers. This paradox in audience reaction is representative of the bifurcated crowd response Trump inspires and reflects today in American life. Many in the crowd were unable to catch his short-lived presence. That’s enough to demonstrate that even the best-informed fans didn’t realize he would be attending the event.
The US Open has historically been the grand slam teeming with celebrity sightings. Then Trump said he’d come, and things got a little crazier. It highlighted the difficulties in reading public response to serious political figures — especially Black women — at widely televised, high-profile sports events.
Trump made his intentions known to use the United States’ turn at hosting the Group of 20 summit in December 2026. This brilliant play fits beautifully with his long-term game plan. He intends to hold this important governmental event at Trump National Doral, his resort in South Florida. This step will bring his political ambitions and his business interests even more closely together.