Trump Draws Mixed Reactions at Yankees Game on 9/11 Anniversary/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump attended the New York Yankees’ 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. His appearance sparked a mix of boos and cheers from fans at Yankee Stadium. The night blended heightened security, tributes to 9/11, and Trump’s interactions with players, including Aaron Judge.
Trump’s Yankees Game Appearance on 9/11: Quick Looks
- Trump attended Yankees’ 9-3 win over Tigers on Sept. 11 anniversary.
- Stadium crowd reacted with both cheers and boos.
- Extra security measures included glass shielding, metal detectors, and NYPD helicopters.
- Trump sat with Yankees president Randy Levine, later applauding Aaron Judge’s homers.
- Aaron Judge called meeting Trump “a surreal moment.”
- Trump recalled friendship with late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
- The president left after the seventh-inning stretch.
- This was Trump’s eighth major sporting event of 2025.
- American flags at Yankee Stadium were lowered to half-staff in Kirk’s honor.
- Trump has faced similar crowd reactions at sporting events before, including the 2019 World Series.
Trump Draws Mixed Reactions at Yankees Game on 9/11 Anniversary
Deep Look
On the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, President Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance at Yankee Stadium, where the New York Yankees defeated the Detroit Tigers 9-3. The president’s attendance brought both cheers and boos from a crowd of nearly 41,000, underscoring his polarizing presence even at a night meant for remembrance.
Security and Stage Setting
The event came with heightened security precautions, intensified after the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. Authorities installed protective glass around Trump’s Steinbrenner family suite overlooking the Tigers dugout. Metal detectors were stationed at every entrance, fans were urged to arrive early, and Secret Service agents with dogs patrolled the grounds. NYPD helicopters circled above as lines of spectators formed hours before the first pitch.
Despite the heavy security, the atmosphere inside Yankee Stadium was lively and patriotic. The scoreboard displayed the message: “September 11, 2001, We Shall Not Forget,” with American flags at half-staff by Trump’s executive order in honor of Kirk.
Trump’s Stadium Presence
Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, Trump sat beside Yankees president Randy Levine, occasionally chatting and at other times watching alone. He was shown on the stadium’s jumbotron multiple times. When “Hail to the Chief” played in the second inning, he smiled and pumped his fist. Boos rang out initially, but many in the crowd joined in cheers that grew louder as chants of “USA! USA!” spread.
Trump applauded enthusiastically when Aaron Judge smashed a first-inning home run. Later, during the seventh-inning stretch, Trump stood as “God Bless America” played, smiling broadly while fans alternately cheered and jeered. He left the stadium soon after.
Meeting the Yankees Players
Before the game, Trump visited the Yankees’ clubhouse, shaking hands with players and recalling his close relationship with legendary owner George Steinbrenner. “We won every time I came,” Trump joked, remembering his superstitious seatmate.
Team captain Aaron Judge, who hit two home runs that night to tie Joe DiMaggio for fourth in franchise history, described meeting Trump as “a surreal moment.” Judge added, “He told us we were going to win, and I think that gave everybody confidence. Maybe we need him around more often.”
Pitcher Fernando Cruz narrowly avoided greeting Trump in just a towel after teammates hurried him to dress before the president entered. Trump also patted shortstop Anthony Volpe on the shoulder while greeting him, even as news emerged that Volpe had been quietly playing through a partial shoulder labrum tear.
A Night of Mixed Reactions
Reactions from the stands reflected Trump’s complicated relationship with New York. While many chanted his name, others booed loudly each time he appeared on the big screen. At one point, the announcer called him “New York’s own, the 45th and 47th President,” drawing raucous applause from supporters and intensified jeers from detractors.
The scene echoed Trump’s prior experiences at major sporting events. In 2019, he faced boos and chants of “Lock him up!” at a World Series game in Washington, D.C. By contrast, Thursday’s Yankees crowd was deeply divided, mirroring broader national divisions.
Broader Sports Appearances
This marks Trump’s eighth major sporting event of 2025, part of his public-facing strategy since returning to the White House in January. He has attended the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia, the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, and last weekend’s U.S. Open men’s final.
Unlike the delays and long security lines at the U.S. Open, however, the Yankee Stadium entry process ran relatively smoothly despite the precautions.
Remembering 9/11
Trump’s attendance drew comparisons to President George W. Bush’s iconic ceremonial first pitch during the 2001 World Series in New York, a moment that symbolized resilience just weeks after the 9/11 attacks. While Trump did not take the field, his presence on the anniversary — coupled with visible patriotism in the stadium — served as a reminder of the lasting impact of that day.
Though now a Florida resident, Trump was born in Queens, New York, and still claims strong ties to the city.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted, “The president remains a New Yorker at heart.”
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