American presidents often attend sports events to boost their popular image. But these appearances don’t always go as planned. Donald Trump, booed at the US Open, is not the first.
Which other presidents faced similar moments?
A Risky Tradition
Since Theodore Roosevelt, presidents have used sports as a communication tool. Throwing the first pitch at a baseball game or attending major events became a tradition.
But when the crowd turns hostile, it reflects political tensions more than sports enthusiasm.
Notable Examples
- Herbert Hoover: booed at a football game in 1931 during the Great Depression.
- Richard Nixon: jeered multiple times during the Vietnam War.
- George W. Bush: booed at a baseball game after the Iraq invasion.
- Donald Trump: booed at the World Series in 2019 and again at the US Open in 2025.
These incidents show that stadiums can become arenas for political protest.
Breaking News: Trump Booed at the US Open
On September 7, Donald Trump attended the final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in New York. When his image appeared on the big screens, part of the crowd booed loudly, despite some applause.
The match was delayed by 30 minutes due to security measures. This episode confirms that sports venues remain political stages.
