President Donald Trump’s appearance at the men’s finals of the U.S. Open on Sunday created both logistical headaches and viral intrigue at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City. The match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner drew thousands of fans, many of whom faced lengthy delays at additional security checkpoints set up for the president’s arrival.
Ahead of Trump’s attendance, the U.S. Tennis Association reportedly emailed broadcasters instructing them not to air “disruptions or reactions” connected to his presence, a move critics described as accommodating the president’s stage-managed appearances.
When Trump stood and addressed the crowd, reactions were mixed, with both cheers and boos echoing through the nearly 24,000-seat venue. But a brief exchange involving Trump’s granddaughter, Arabella, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt caught attention after being captured on video and analyzed by a professional lip reader.
According to Nicola Hickling, who reviewed the footage for The Mirror, Trump gestured toward Arabella, Ivanka Trump’s daughter, and said, “Come over here, darling.” At the same moment, Leavitt appeared to mouth the word “no” with emphasis and an open-mouthed expression.
Despite her visible resistance, Leavitt eventually relented as Trump took Arabella’s wrist and guided her to his left, away from Leavitt, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and others standing nearby. Hickling described the scene as a “charged moment” open to interpretation.
“Trump’s words suggest a protective, almost possessive gesture, inviting his granddaughter closer to him,” Hickling said. “Yet, [Leavitt]’s firm and elongated ‘no’ feels like a counterpoint to whether to stop her moving, to maintain order, or to shield her from the shifting dynamic in that charged moment.
It leaves us with an unanswered question: why did he want her to move away from the woman in question? Was it instinct, security, etiquette, or something more subtle unfolding in front of the cameras?” Meanwhile, fans outside Arthur Ashe Stadium expressed frustration at the unexpected security measures. Many were left waiting even after play began.
Some said they had not been warned of the extended delays at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where an extra layer of checks was added just before entry into the stadium itself. In a statement, the Secret Service acknowledged the inconvenience. “We recognize that enhanced security for the President’s visit to the US Open may have contributed to delays for attendees,” the agency said.
“We sincerely thank every fan for their patience and understanding. Protecting the President required a comprehensive effort, and we are grateful to the US Tennis community and our New York public safety partners for their essential collaboration and support.”
