John McEnroe doesn't exactly do "quiet." Whether he was screaming at a chair umpire in the 80s or providing some of the most unfiltered commentary on modern tennis, the man is a walking, talking lightning rod. Naturally, in a world where everything becomes a political litmus test, fans have spent years trying to figure out where "Johnny Mac" lands on the political spectrum. Specifically, people keep asking: is John McEnroe a Trump supporter?
It’s a fair question. They’re both legendary New York figures. They both built their brands on being brash, disruptive, and—let's be honest—frequently loud. They’ve run in the same circles for decades. But if you're looking for a simple "yes" or "red hat" photo op, you’re going to be disappointed. The reality is a lot more nuanced, a bit more biting, and typical of McEnroe’s "tell it like it is" style.
The "Fake News" Denial
Back in 2017, when the political temperature was hitting a boiling point, rumors started swirling that McEnroe was a secret fan of the 45th president. He didn't let that sit for long. In a pretty blunt interview, he flat-out called the idea that he supported Donald Trump "fake news."
He went even further. He told Newsweek quite clearly: "We're not friends."
Now, "not friends" is a specific choice of words for two guys who have likely been in the same VIP boxes at the US Open more times than most people have been to a movie theater. McEnroe has never been one to mince words to save someone’s feelings. He made it clear that while they knew each other, there was no political alliance.
That Infamous $1 Million Offer
One of the wildest stories connecting the two involves a literal million-dollar check. Or at least, the promise of one.
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According to McEnroe, long before Trump was in the White House, he reached out with a typical "promoter galore" pitch. He wanted McEnroe to play a "Battle of the Sexes" match against either Serena or Venus Williams.
"I was calling a match and suddenly I get this envelope," McEnroe recalled during an interview with Graham Bensinger. "It's from Donald Trump."
Inside was a letter offering him $1 million to take on the sisters. Trump, ever the marketer, knew it would be a ratings goldmine. McEnroe turned it down. He wasn't interested in the spectacle, even though he jokingly admitted his own kids weren't sure he could win. It’s a classic story of their relationship: Trump pitching a big-money show, and McEnroe—despite his own love for the spotlight—saying "no thanks."
"He Shouldn't Be President of Anything"
If you want the real dirt on what McEnroe thinks of Trump’s political career, look no further than his 2017 interview with El País. He didn't just disagree with the policy; he attacked the premise of the presidency itself.
McEnroe conceded that Trump was a "real character" and an "OK guy" in a social New York setting, but he drew a massive line at leadership.
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"He shouldn't be president of the United States. That is where I would draw the line. In fact, he shouldn't be president of anything."
He did give a backhanded compliment, saying Trump was great at turning his name into a brand and running his company. But as for running the country? McEnroe called him "crazy and stupid," a combination he described as "terrible."
Where Does He Actually Stand?
So, if he’s not a Trump guy, what is he?
McEnroe has identified as a Democrat for a long time. But, because he's John McEnroe, he’s not exactly a cheerleader for that side either. He’s expressed disappointment in Barack Obama, feeling like the former president was "cheated" by people who wouldn't let him act. He also wasn't exactly sold on Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Basically, he’s a classic New Yorker. He’s cynical. He’s skeptical of the whole system.
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He once told Bill Maher that Trump might have actually won the 2020 election if he had shown even a "little empathy" during the pandemic. He’s observant of the mechanics of politics, but he seems to find the whole business "unpleasant."
A Quick Reality Check on the McEnroe-Trump Timeline:
- The 1980s/90s: Both are icons of New York City. Trump is a regular at the US Open; McEnroe is the king of the court. They are acquaintances in the high-society circuit.
- The $1M Offer: Trump tries to book McEnroe for a circus-style match against the Williams sisters. McEnroe declines.
- 2016-2017: McEnroe goes on the record multiple times stating he does not support Trump’s presidency and that they are not friends.
- 2020s: McEnroe continues to criticize Trump’s temperament, specifically calling out a lack of empathy as a fatal political flaw.
The Verdict
Is John McEnroe a Trump supporter? No.
He’s been incredibly consistent about this. While some might assume his "angry white guy" tennis persona would align with a certain political brand, McEnroe’s actual views are rooted in a more traditional liberal-leaning, though highly critical, New York perspective.
He respects the hustle of the brand-building, but he’s been vocal about his distaste for the politics. Honestly, he seems more interested in the state of modern tennis—and whether Carlos Alcaraz is the greatest thing he’s ever seen—than who is sitting in the Oval Office.
If you’re trying to understand McEnroe’s politics, don't look for a party line. Look for the rebel. He’s always been the guy who pushes back against the person in charge, whether it's a chair umpire or the President of the United States.
Next steps for you: If you're interested in how other sports legends navigate politics, you might want to look into the recent public stances of players like Martina Navratilova or the legendary activism of Arthur Ashe to see the different ways the tennis world engages with the "real world."