Former President Donald Trump attended the US Open on Sunday, where he was met with a range of reactions. He was seen from a luxury box before the final match, with some attendees applauding while others booed. The stadium was not at full capacity, and some fans did not even notice Trump’s arrival.
Trump’s attendance was as a guest of Rolex, despite his administration’s tariffs on Swiss goods. Meanwhile, event organizers were attempting to manage the television broadcast to minimize negative reactions.
Trump has been attending more sporting events during his second term rather than focusing on policy announcements or rallies. This has become a notable trend in his post-presidency activities.
Trump’s presence resulted in enhanced security protocols, causing a delay of 30 minutes to the men’s final. This meant a later start for the match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy.
The Trump administration imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss products, a rate far exceeding tariffs on EU and UK goods. This has raised questions about Switzerland’s economic competitiveness.
The White House did not comment on Trump’s acceptance of Rolex’s invitation. However, Trump has faced no criticism for the merging of political and foreign policy decisions with his business endeavors. These include promoting cryptocurrency interests and his luxury golf properties. He announced that the US would use the G-20 summit in December 2026 to showcase Trump National Park in South Florida.
The US Tennis Association stated that the broadcast would not show any negative reactions to Trump’s presence. They regularly ask broadcasters to avoid showing disruptions. No major protests were observed, but many attendees avoided wearing Trump’s signature hat.
Trump has attended the US Open before, but this was his first time back since being booed in 2015. Alcaraz stated that the presence of any president is beneficial for tennis and should not add extra pressure on players.
Trump has been seen at events like the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, UFC matches, NCAA Wrestling Championships, and the FIFA Club World Cup final. It was the first time since 2000 that a sitting US president attended the US Open.
