“Impossible to Ignore” – US Open Triggers Backlash for Censoring Crowd Reactions Towards Donald Trump in the Men’s Final

The US Open Final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will generate a lot of engagement outside of the court.

“Impossible to Ignore” – US Open Triggers Backlash for Censoring Crowd Reactions Towards Donald Trump in the Men’s Final

Donald Trump (via Reuters)

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In 2015, when Donald Trump attended the US Open as a presidential candidate, the crowd’s boos were loud enough to make headlines. ESPN’s broadcast at the time showed him repeatedly during the match. This year, Trump is set to return for the men’s final on Sunday. The question now is how ABC and ESPN will cover his appearance.

The US Open is a major event in Queens, New York, where the crowd is very different from the ones at the UFC fights Trump has often attended. The U.S. Tennis Association has said it wants the spotlight to remain on the players and the competition. Whether Trump is met with cheers or jeers, the organizers prefer the cameras to focus on the court.

According to reports, ESPN will acknowledge Trump’s presence and show him briefly, just as other networks have done at high-profile events like the Super Bowl. Debate about the coverage grew after journalist Ben Rothenberg shared a memo asking broadcasters to avoid highlighting crowd reactions to Trump. The USTA later clarified that it makes similar requests whenever off-court disruptions occur.

Sports networks generally avoid giving attention to streakers or interruptions. Still, political protests can be harder to ignore. Last year, environmental activists delayed a semifinal, and ESPN showed limited footage while keeping attention on the athletes. Some of Trump’s critics are already joking online about possible protests or chants during Sunday’s final, adding another layer of curiosity to his appearance.

US Open gets criticized for censoring crowd response towards Donald Trump

As soon as the rumors came regarding the censorship, the tennis fandom was out in full flight. The fans accused the US Open for stopping freedom of speech by censoring the response towards Donald Trump.

US Open
US Open (via CNN)

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Trump has been in several sports arenas in his career. He has historically had his fair share of appearances in the WWE, where he was accompanied by WWE former chairman Vince McMahon. This year, he was seen watching the FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG. The American president was seen giving the medals to both the teams in the trophy ceremony.

Coming into the final, Carlos Alcaraz was asked about the potential arrival of Trump. He remained tight-zipped and decided not to take it on himself and focused on the final.

Donald Trump back in the sports spotlight

On Sunday, Donald Trump will become the first sitting U.S. president in 25 years to attend the U.S. Open. He is expected to watch the men’s final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in New York. The match has been billed as one of the most anticipated of the tournament.

Donald Trump
Donald Trump (via CNN)

Trump is no stranger to major sporting events, often using them as a way to connect with his supporters. But at the U.S. Open, held in heavily Democratic New York, the reaction from fans may be less welcoming. In 2015, not long after launching his campaign, he was booed during an appearance at the tournament.

Security will be especially tight at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The venue is preparing for Trump’s arrival while also managing a record-setting streak of attendance. Extra measures are being put in place to ensure safety for both fans and players.

The U.S. Open has always been known for its mix of passionate tennis fans, celebrities, and high-profile guests. Still, it has been a quarter-century since a sitting president last attended. The most recent was Bill Clinton in 2000, marking Trump’s appearance as a rare moment in tournament history.

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