“US Open Requests Broadcasters to Limit Crowd Shots of Trump During Men’s Finals: Here’s What You Need to Know”

The last time Donald Trump showed up at the US Open was in 2015, when he was a presidential candidate. Back then, the crowd greeted him with loud boos, drawing attention from many news outlets. This year, Trump plans to attend the men’s final on Sunday, raising the question: how will ABC cover his presence?

The US Open, held in Trump’s hometown of Queens, New York, typically attracts a more diverse crowd than events like UFC fights, where Trump has also been present recently. Whether the audience reacts positively or negatively, the US Tennis Association aims to keep the focus on the game.

Disney’s ESPN holds the broadcast rights for the tournament, while ABC will air the men’s final. ESPN plans to acknowledge Trump’s attendance, much like Fox did during the Super Bowl earlier this year.

Interest in how the network will handle Trump’s visit grew after tennis writer Ben Rothenberg highlighted a memo from the tennis association. This memo asked broadcasters to avoid showcasing any negative reactions to Trump’s presence. It seemed to be more of a request than a strict order. The association commented, stating they often ask broadcasters to minimize off-court distractions.

Sports networks usually avoid broadcasting interruptions like streakers. However, political protests are different. When environmental activists disrupted a US Open semifinal match earlier this year, ESPN showed the protest but mainly focused on its effect on the game.

Some Trump critics are hoping for protests during the final. Conservative lawyer George Conway jokingly suggested on social media that it would be unfortunate if a chant about the Epstein files interrupted Trump.

Trump is expected to arrive for the match, scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET. He has been attending major sporting events frequently since starting his second term. At the Super Bowl, he was briefly visible, with mixed reactions from the crowd. More recently, during the FIFA Club World Cup final, he got cheers upon arrival but faced boos when shown on the stadium screens.

As the tension builds around Trump’s upcoming appearance, it raises questions about how sports and politics intersect. Coverage choices by networks may shape public perception, making this event even more significant than the game itself.

To dive deeper into how sports influence public opinion and event coverage, check out this detailed report from [Pew Research](https://www.pewresearch.org/).

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