Four days ago, President Donald Trump traveled to New York City with his family to attend the men’s final of the US Open, observing the event from an open-air box inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
However, the atmosphere has shifted considerably for MAGA Republicans after the shocking assassination of far-right political activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon.
Thus, on President Trump’s return to New York to attend a Yankees game on the 24th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, he watched the game from behind thick security glass.
Trump, who met with the Yankees before the game began, brought along a much different entourage for Thursday night.
On Sunday, he was accompanied by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and numerous family members, including his granddaughter Arabella Kushner, for the final between Jannik Sinner and champion Carlos Alcaraz.
In The Bronx, Trump was joined by several high-ranking cabinet officials, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi, senior council Boris Epshteyn, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte.
President Trump was seen behind security glass in a suite at Yankee Stadium on Thursday
It was a different view from when he attended this Sunday’s US Open men’s tennis final
Additionally, multiple notable New York Republicans joined him on the anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks.
Former Long Island congressman and current EPA director Lee Zeldin attended, as did former House Republican Committee chair Elise Stefanik and New York City representatives Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, and Nicole Malliotakis.
Former Fox News pundit Bill O’Reilly was also among the attendees spotted in the Trump suite.
Much like at the US Open, those going to Yankee Stadium were met with security issues as extra protection was needed on account of Trump’s attendance.
Each entrance to the ballpark featured standard metal detectors, but also Secret Service agents. Some gates even had sniffer dogs while the NYPD had helicopters hovering above.
Gates were opened three hours before first pitch as long lines began to form, even when ticket holders were ‘strongly urged to arrive as early as possible’ by the team.
The Secret Service even posted a statement informing attendees that extra time would be necessary – also asking fans to ‘consider leaving your bags at home to help speed up the security screening process’.
Once inside, fans noticed that snipers had taken up positions on the roof of the famous ballpark.
At the US Open, Trump was seen with granddaughter Arabella Kushner and son-in-law Jared Kushner alongside a few cabinet members on Arthur Ashe Stadium for the final
Thursday, Trump was seen with cabinet members and high-level New York Republicans
Extra security was brought to Yankee Stadium, with snipers on the roof of the building
Prior to the game, Trump visited the Yankees’ locker room and met the players
When Trump arrived, he visited the Yankees’ locker room, meeting team captain Aaron Judge and the rest of the squad.
Footage from inside the locker room showed a relaxed Trump laughing and joking with Yankees players before he addressed them and claimed he’s never seen the team lose in person.
He took his seat in the stands around 7pm and received a mixed reception from fans with some cheers and boos when he appeared on screen during the national anthem.
Before departing the White House, Trump was asked if he was afraid for his safety, replying, ‘Not really. I’m really concerned for our country.
‘We have a great country. We have a radical left group of lunatics out there, just absolute lunatics and we’re gonna get that problem solved. I’m only concerned for the country.’
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