President Donald Trump’s return to the US Open after more than a decade sparked controversy on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Arriving at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens around 1:45 p.m. EDT for the men’s final between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, Trump waved and fist-pumped from a Rolex-sponsored suite.
His appearance was met with loud boos and jeers, overshadowing scattered cheers from the crowd.
#WATCH: President Trump at the men’s final at the US Open in New York City.
Loud cheers erupt as President Trump appears on screen.#USOpen #Trump #Alcaraz #Sinner #NYC #Tennis #POTUS #USOpen2025 #sinneralcaraz #NewYork pic.twitter.com/Ahyru6EiFe
— LoudFact (@loudfactcom) September 7, 2025
Viral Crowd Reaction
Videos posted on X showed the crowd’s negative response, particularly during the national anthem when Trump appeared on the jumbotron.
JUST NOW: Donald Trump is booed by the crowd as he arrives at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the US Open men’s final pic.twitter.com/CS46BKK0qL
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) September 7, 2025
According to Variety, ABC’s broadcast carried the boos despite a USTA memo urging networks not to highlight disruptions related to Trump’s presence.
Security Delays Cause Frustration
The sitting president’s attendance led to heightened security measures, delaying the men’s final. Originally scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m., play did not start until 2:30 p.m. EDT.
Entry checks created bottlenecks, leaving the 24,000-seat stadium only two-thirds full when the first serve was struck at 2:48 p.m. Many fans complained online, citing waits of up to an hour to clear checkpoints.
The USTA defended the delay, stating it was necessary “to ensure fans had additional time to get to their seats.” Still, the disruption became a major talking point during the event.
Trump Attends with Family and Officials
Trump did not attend the US Open alone. He was accompanied by family members and senior administration officials, including his granddaughter Arabella Kushner, son-in-law Jared Kushner, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to The Independent.
The invitation came from Rolex, despite Trump’s administration recently imposing a 39% tariff on Swiss luxury goods.
