You’ve probably seen the clips. On September 7, 2025, the air at Arthur Ashe Stadium felt heavy, and it wasn't just the New York humidity. A video of trump at us open started circulating almost before the first serve was even hit between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. It wasn't just a casual sports appearance; it was a full-blown spectacle that had everyone from the Secret Service to the Rolex executives sweating.
Basically, the stadium became a microcosm of the entire country for a few hours.
The Chaos Before the Coin Toss
Honestly, the match didn't even start on time because of the security. Fans were stuck in massive lines outside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The USTA eventually had to delay the men’s final by about 30 minutes. Imagine paying thousands for a seat and standing in the rain while the stadium is locked down for a presidential motorcade. People were not happy.
Inside the stadium, the vibe was weirdly split. Trump arrived about 45 minutes before the rescheduled start time. He wasn't just sitting there; he was holding court in the Rolex luxury suite.
What the Jumbotron Didn't Show
There’s a reason the video of trump at us open you see on social media looks so different from the official broadcast. The USTA reportedly sent a memo to broadcasters—think ESPN and ABC—asking them to avoid showing "off-court disruptions." That’s a polite way of saying "don't film the people booing."
But you can't stop 23,000 people with smartphones.
When Trump appeared on the big screen during the national anthem, the sound was a jarring mix of cheers and very loud boos. The roof was closed because of the rain, which basically turned the stadium into an echo chamber. If you watch the raw footage from fans in the upper tiers, the booing is unmistakable. Yet, on the official TV feed? Mostly silence or crowd noise that sounded oddly filtered.
The Viral Moments Everyone is Talking About
The most shared video of trump at us open isn't even about the tennis. It’s the clip of Trump’s reaction when Carlos Alcaraz finally clinched the win in four sets. While the entire suite around him stood up and went wild, Trump remained seated, barely clapping.
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Was he bored? Was he just tired?
Social media had a field day. One X user, @youvegotajmail, posted the clip with the caption "Trump's reaction to Alcaraz is hilarious," and it racked up over 2 million views in hours. At the same time, his supporters were sharing a different narrative. Karoline Leavitt and others posted footage of the president signing hats for fans and throwing them into the crowd like he was at a campaign rally.
- The Booing: Loudest during the anthem and when the Jumbotron held his image for 20 seconds during a set break.
- The Cheering: Concentrated around the lower boxes where supporters were visible, some even throwing visors for him to sign.
- The Guest List: Trump wasn't alone. He was flanked by Pam Bondi, Susie Wiles, and Steve Witkoff.
A President at the Open: Breaking a 25-Year Streak
It’s kinda wild when you realize a sitting president hasn't attended the US Open final since Bill Clinton in 2000. Trump has deep roots in Queens, and he used to be a regular at these matches back in the 80s and 90s. Returning as president in 2025 was a massive power move, especially considering the USTA’s heavy focus on DEI initiatives, which often clash with his administration's rhetoric.
The optics were complicated. He was there as a guest of Rolex, even though his administration had just slapped a 39% tariff on Swiss products. You could practically see the corporate tension through the glass of the suite.
Why This Specific Video Still Matters
The reason this video of trump at us open continues to trend months later is because of the sheer contrast in reality. Depending on which "side" of the internet you live on, you saw a very different event.
If you follow conservative influencers like Nick Sortor, you saw a "rockstar reception" and a president "destroying leftist narratives." If you follow tennis journalists like Ben Rothenberg, you saw a crowd that was vocally frustrated by the delays and the perceived "strongman" optics of the visit.
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Honestly, both things happened at the same time. That’s the reality of a Trump appearance in 2026.
Actionable Insights for Navigating the Hype
If you're trying to figure out what's real when a high-profile political figure shows up at a sporting event, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Source: Raw fan footage from the stands is usually more "honest" regarding sound levels than the polished network broadcast.
- Look for the Delay: High-profile visits almost always cause logistical nightmares. If you see reports of 30-minute security delays, the crowd is likely already on edge before the guest even sits down.
- Watch the Body Language: In the Alcaraz victory video, the lack of applause from the presidential box was a "tell" for many analysts that the event didn't go exactly as planned for the administration's PR team.
- Ignore the Labels: Words like "Unpacked" or "The Ultimate Truth" are usually signs of a biased edit. Just watch the raw clips and listen to the background noise.
The US Open is supposed to be about the tennis, but in 2025, the court was just a backdrop for a much louder political conversation.