Protests erupted at the US Open tennis tournament as Donald Trump's appearance was delayed, resulting in a chorus of boos from the crowd.
In the bustling city of New York, known for its overwhelming Democratic leanings, former President Donald Trump made a recent reappearance at a sports event. The tournament, which he attended after a decade-long hiatus, was not without its share of controversy.
Trump's return to the sports scene has been marked by a series of glitzy events since he retook office in January. Most recently, preparations are underway for him to host a UFC fight on the White House grounds. However, his presence at the New York tournament was met with a mix of boos and cheers, particularly during Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's match.
The match was delayed by 30 minutes due to Trump's presence, and event organizers asked broadcasters not to show disruptions caused by his presence. This was not an unprecedented occurrence, as Trump had also been booed at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey in a previous visit.
Despite the mixed reception, Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz expressed that he would try not to think about Trump's presence, appreciating the attention it brought to tennis. Trump's visit came after he imposed a 39% tariff on Switzerland as part of his trade war, a move that may have affected major tournament sponsor Rolex.
Interestingly, Rolex welcomed Trump into its stadium box, and during his recent visit to the US Open, he was a guest of Rolex CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour in New York. Trump's relationship with the Democratic party is not entirely antagonistic, as he met cordially with former President Bill Clinton at the US Open in 2000, making him the first sitting president to attend the tennis Grand Slam in New York.
Trump's visit to the tournament came amidst other scheduled events, including his expected return to New York to attend a baseball game on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and to address the UN General Assembly on September 23. Trump has also planned to attend the first day of golf's Ryder Cup later this month.
It is worth noting that Trump changed his residency during his first term from Manhattan to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. However, he spent several weeks at his luxury Fifth Avenue condo in New York last year while undergoing a historic criminal trial mid-campaign.
Trump has not attended the US Open since 2015, when he was also booed by the crowd. Despite the controversies, Trump has hailed the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics as part of what he claims is a "Golden Age of America" ushered in by his presidency.
