Former U.S. President Donald Trump graced the U.S. Open with his attendance, offering a perfunctory wave from a plush luxury box to the early arrivals of the men’s final at the main court on a recent Sunday. Remarkably, this president-esque wave received a concoction of half-hearted cheers and barely audible jeers. As it was not officially announced, Arthur Ashe stadium was still inundated with empty seats, making it hard for some attendees to even register his presence.
Trump’s travel plans during his recent electoral term seemed to be more about gracing sporting spectacles than anything of substance, such as giving policy speeches or addressing large-scale rallies, an activity he apparently once enjoyed. Perhaps this change of tack was a less-than-subtle way to sidestep any potential controversy.
The men’s final match between the number two seed, Carlos Alcaraz, a youthful talent at 22 years old from Spain, and Italy’s number one seed, Jannik Sinner, aged 24, was held off by 30 minutes due to escalated security checks. This meant that Trump had to endure a drab wait of more than 45 minutes before things kicked off.
Though there were pockets of fans in the crowd, as the heavy rains began to scatter, there was a conspicuous absence of any vocal denunciation targeting the former president. However, perhaps pre-empting a less-than-friendly reception, attendees seemed keen to avoid any connection to Trump, even eschewing his famous ‘Make America Great Again’ caps.
Interesting to note was the story of a 58-year-old tennis enthusiast originally from Turin, Italy who had made the trip from Boston to watch the final. Conscious of political sensitivities, she decided to opt for a noticeably vibrant fuchsia colored U.S. Open cap, careful to avoid any mistaken association with the MAGA headgear worn by Trump supporters.
Trump was a regular face at the U.S. Open; however, he has avoided the tournament since being treated to a chorus of boos at a quarterfinal match in September 2015, which notably was just after his first presidential bid.
Despite the Trump Organization once owning a U.S. Open suite positioned in pole position adjacent to the broadcasting booth, the suite was let go in 2017. It was during the first year of Trump’s term, suggesting perhaps another sign of disengagement from the sporting event. While the Trump business has now been entrusted to his sons, he has returned to the seclusion of the White House.
Trump was born in Queens, the very cradle of the U.S. Open, and his career as a real estate magnate and a television personality dominated the New York scene for decades. Before he turned into a political figure, he was often spotted in the balcony suite during night matches, occasionally featuring on the massive video screens of the arena.
In the intervening years, including the time between his presidential terms, Trump seemed to have shifted base to his lavish Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, another clear sign of his declining interest in New York events.
Alcaraz, commenting on Trump’s presence, appeared to give a diplomatic response. He stated that any president being present would be a ‘privilege’ and would be ‘great for tennis.’ His apprehension about potential nervousness over this, however, was palpable even in his diplomatic stance.
Trump seemed to have a whirlwind sports tour planned since returning to the White House in January. Prior to the U.S. Open, he paid visits to the New Orleans Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, and UFC fights in Miami and Newark, New Jersey. As well as attending the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia and the FIFA Club World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Trump appears to be making the sports circuit his new arena.
Interestingly, the last sitting president to attend the U.S. Open was Bill Clinton in 2000. Despite a brief appearance by Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, at the event’s opening night in 2023, it seems Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been notably absent. Whether this is an oversight or a willful choice to disconnect from American popular culture, it raises questions about their connection to common, everyday experiences enjoyed by many Americans.
The post Trump Enlivens U.S. Open Amidst Biden, Harris’ Notable Absence appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
