Trump Attends US Open as Rolex Guest Amidst Controversial Swiss Tariffs

President Trump attended the US Open as a guest of Rolex, drawing mixed cheers and boos from the crowd. His presence comes amid ongoing Swiss tariffs affecting the watchmaker.

Donald Trump made an appearance at the US Open on Sunday, stepping out briefly from a luxury box to greet the crowd during the men's final. His presence drew mixed reactions of cheers and boos. The stadium was not fully occupied, and his waves were unannounced, resulting in some attendees missing the moment. Trump attended as a guest of Rolex despite recent tariffs imposed on Swiss products.

The president's acceptance of Rolex's invitation came shortly after his administration levied a 39% tariff on Swiss goods. This rate is significantly higher than those for European Union and British exports to the US. The White House did not comment on Trump's attendance at the event as a corporate guest, but he has often blurred lines between political decisions and business interests.

Trump's Sports Event Attendance

Trump has focused much of his domestic travel on attending major sports events rather than policy announcements or large rallies. Since returning to office in January, he has attended several high-profile sporting events, including the Super Bowl and Daytona 500. His presence at these events often garners mixed reactions from the crowd.

Security measures delayed the final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner by half an hour. Trump arrived over 45 minutes before the rescheduled start time. The match featured second-seeded Alcaraz from Spain and top-seeded defending champion Sinner from Italy.

Public Reaction and Broadcast Policy

The US Tennis Association stated that ABC's national telecast would not show any negative reactions to Trump's presence, adhering to their policy of avoiding off-court disruptions. As fans arrived amid clearing rains, no significant protests against Trump were visible from the main stadium.

Attendees avoided wearing Trump's signature "Make America Great Again" hats. A tennis fan from Turin, Italy, opted for a fuchsia US Open cap to avoid confusion with MAGA hats. She chose not to reveal her name due to her employer's restrictions on public quotes.

Celebrity Attendance and Historical Context

A number of celebrities were present at the event, some of whom had supported Kamala Harris in the previous election against Trump. Notable figures included Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Shonda Rhimes, Michael J. Fox, Sting, Shaggy, Ben Stiller, and Courtney Cox.

Trump has a history with the US Open but hasn't attended since being booed in 2015 after launching his presidential campaign. Previously, he was a regular attendee and often sat in a suite balcony during night matches. His family's business once controlled a US Open suite but suspended it in 2017.

Trump's New York Connection

Born in Queens, home to the US Open, Trump was a prominent real estate mogul in New York before becoming a reality TV star and later entering politics. He primarily lived at Mar-a-Lago in Florida between his presidential terms.

Carlos Alcaraz expressed that having Trump attend was an honour for tennis but noted that any president's presence would be significant. "I don't want myself to be nervous because of it," he said before the final match.

The last sitting president to attend the US Open was Bill Clinton in 2000. However, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama attended the opening night of the tournament in 2023.

With inputs from PTI