Donald Trump, Who Once Called Alex Rodriguez A “Druggie”, Changes Stance Regarding Ex-Yankees Star

In 2013, Donald Trump called out Alex Rodriguez as a "druggie" and slammed him over his usage of PEDs during his time with the New York Yankees.

Donald Trump, Who Once Called Alex Rodriguez A “Druggie”, Changes Stance Regarding Ex-Yankees Star

Donald Trump and Alex Rodriguez (Image via People/Imago)

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF at the White House following their 2025 MLS Championship win. During this visit, he would change his stance regarding Alex Rodriguez, whom he once called a “druggie“, and call him a friend.

Though A-Rod has no formal ties with the club, he has a long connection with the city of Miami. It appears this was one of the reasons why the U.S. President invited him over to the White House alongside the soccer club.

While speaking about his late friend and former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Trump would speak about Rodriguez. He would give the ex-MLB star a shootout and call himself a “big fan” of his. He even called him a “friend.“

These words from Trump come more than a decade after he called out Rodriguez and slammed him. The 3-time MLB MVP career has been overshadowed by the usage of Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).

A-Rod is just not making it. We want to give him a chance but it was only drugs that made him great.

Donald Trump said regarding Alex Rodriguez on X in 2012

In another tweet in 2013, Trump called Rodriguez a “druggie” and blasted him on social media.

Druggie @AROD is now scheming to sue the @Yankees. He will go down as the biggest sports embarrassment of all time.

Donald Trump said regarding Alex Rodriguez on X in 2013

It was in 2007 when the first rumors regarding Rodriguez’s usage of PEDs came out. He would first deny these allegations and claim that getting bigger and stronger had never been a problem for him.

In 2009, a report from Sports Illustrated claimed that A-Rod had tested positive during an anonymous drug test in 2003. The American international would admit this and express that he only used them during the 2001, 02 and 03 seasons and had been clean since then.

Four years later, in 2013, the Biogenesis scandal broke out. According to reports obtained from a health clinic run by Doctor Anthony Bosch, Rodriguez, along with several other MLB players, had been receiving PEDs from Bosch.

Following investigation by the MLB, A-Rod was slapped with a 211-game suspension. It was later reduced to 162 games, which saw him miss the entirety of the 2014 season.

In his return in 2015, A-Rod played in 151 games and hit 33 home runs. In his final year in 2016, he hit 9 home runs and finished his career with 696 home runs, 4 shy of the 700-home run club.

His usage of PEDs is a major reason why he is not in the Hall of Fame yet. This year, in his 5th year on the HOF ballot, he received 40 per cent votes. This was an increase from last year, as he only received 37.1 per cent votes in 2025.

A player needs a minimum of 75 per cent votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) to enter Cooperstown. Barry Bonds, the MLB Home Run King with 762 homers, is not a part of the HOF as he never received this minimum amount. Bonds was accused of using PEDs during his career as well.

Alex Rodriguez’s jersey retirement debate sparks up after Yankees announce news regarding CC Sabathia

Last week, the New York Yankees made a huge announcement regarding CC Sabathia and revealed that they would be retiring his No.52 jersey. This development sparked some debate regarding the team potentially doing the same for Alex Rodriguez.

Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia
Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia (Image via Imago/X/@TalkinYanks)

A-Rod spent 12 of his 22 seasons in the major league with the Yankees. He would win the American League MVP twice with them in 2005 and 2007 and played a key role in their World Series triumph in 2009.

In the 2009 postseason, the third baseman/shortstop batted with a .365 average and had 19 hits. He slugged 6 home runs and 18 RBIs in 15 games.

Since this triumph, the Yankees have not won a World Series, losing in the 2024 Fall Classic against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

With the important role he has played for the team, WFAN Sports Radio host Craig Carton raised the question of when A-Rod will see his number being sent to the rafters.

If CC Sabathia has his number retired and gets a plaque, not a monument, but a plaque out there in the centerfield at Yankee Stadium, the when oh when does Alex Rodriguez get his?

Craig Carton said regarding Alex Rodriguez

While Carton did defend Sabathia’s jersey retirement and called it a “well-deserved moment“, he would then argue why A-Rod’s number was not retired. He would then point out his achievements as a Yankee and wonder when he would get a call from the team.

You have a guy with 300 home runs as a Yankee. You have a guy with not one but two MVPs as a Yankee. You have a guy that you don’t have the 2009 World Series without him. … When and if ever, and what does he (Alex Rodriguez) have to do to one day get a phone call we’re gonna put 13 in center field.

Craig Carton added regarding Alex Rodriguez

After Rodriguez, Joey Gallo would wear the No.13 for the Yankees. At the moment, Jazz Chisholm Jr. dons this number. It remains to be seen whether Carton’s wish to see A-Rod’s number in the rafters would ever come true.

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