President Donald Trump attended the men’s final of the US Open in New York on Sunday, drawing a loud mix of cheers and boos from the crowd — though viewers at home may not have heard it. And some in attendance may have missed it due to extremely long lines at security checkpoints that delayed the start of the match 30 minutes.
Trump, who watched from a Rolex suite near Arthur Ashe Stadium, stood for the national anthem alongside first lady Melania Trump before taking his seat. According to CNN reports on scene, the stadium was still filling when Trump entered, and there were some cheers, but the overwhelming response to his fist pumps toward the crowd was a cascade of boos.
Reaction inside the stadium at the US Open as President Trump is shown on the Jumbotron during the national anthem – pic.twitter.com/c8aghuUtPQ
— Olivia Rubin (@OliviaRubinABC) September 7, 2025
The moment came after the United States Tennis Association (USTA) reportedly instructed broadcasters not to air negative reactions or disruptions during Trump’s visit. ESPN and other networks largely stuck to wide shots and ambient audio, avoiding close-ups during the outburst. Some stations just used a quick shot of Trump while doing a voiceover about the celebrity guests and the upcoming match.
An excerpt of the email sent to broadcasters from USTA, as verified by The New York Times:
“With respect to Broadcast Coverage, the President will be shown on the World Feed and the Ashe Court Feed during the opening anthem ceremony. We ask all broadcasters to refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance in any capacity, including ENG [Electronic News Gathering] coverage.”
Critics have accused the USTA of censoring fan expression and even free press, with some commentators calling the move hypocritical given that the tournament has televised climate protests and other disruptions in past years. Supporters of the decision said the event should remain focused on tennis, not politics.
This is not the first time Trump has faced boos at major sporting events. This includes during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series, a mix of boos and cheers at UFC 244 in 2019, and harsh jeers at the FIFA Club World Cup final in July 2025. Trump was also booed the last time he attended a US Open match in 2015, just months after he declared his presidential run. Sunday’s response suggests the tradition continues as he makes public appearances in high-profile venues and sporting events.
Trump’s appearance marked his first visit to the US Open in nearly a decade and came amid tensions over his administration’s policies, including new tariffs on Swiss goods. Switzerland is the home country of Rolex, the event sponsor and Trump’s host for the event.
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