New York, September 8, 2025 — The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has sparked controversy by instructing broadcasters to censor any protests or negative crowd reactions to former President Donald Trump’s attendance at the men’s final of the 2025 US Open. According to internal emails obtained by media outlets, USTA leadership requested that no disruptions or signs of dissent be shown during coverage of Trump, who watched the final from a suite as a guest of sponsor Rolex.
The emails sent to U.S. Open broadcasters specifically asked them to “refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance in any capacity, including Electronic News Gathering coverage.” This directive coincided with Trump’s planned presence during the playing of the national anthem, an already highly attention-grabbing moment broadcast worldwide, effectively insulating him from potential public booing or protests.
This attempt at censorship has been widely decried as cowardly, hypocritical, and un-American. Critics argue that by suppressing public dissent in such a public forum, the USTA is undermining the democratic values of free speech and open expression. The Irish Times called the gesture “a capitulation to fear,” noting it contradicts the spirit of sports as a platform for open public engagement and dialogue.
Historically, Trump’s presence at sporting events, including the US Open in 2015 during his presidential campaign, has drawn loud and sustained booing from fans. Previous broadcasts, such as ESPN’s coverage of Trump’s quarterfinal attendance, did not shy away from broadcasting crowd reactions, highlighting the political divisions his figure invokes. The shift to suppressing such portrayals this year marks a significant change in the tone and strategy of event coverage.
Defenders of the USTA’s stance suggest the directive aims to maintain focus on the sport rather than political controversy and to preserve a respectful environment for all attendees. The USTA stated that their priority is the integrity of the event experience for players, sponsors, and fans globally.
Nevertheless, this censorship move opens a broader debate on the role of sports organizations in mediating political expression and the limits of controlling media narratives around polarizing figures. As televised sports continue to intersect with politics, questions remain about balancing commercial interests, audience sensibilities, and fundamental democratic freedoms.
The US Open, one of tennis’s premier Grand Slam tournaments, will continue to navigate these challenges amid evolving expectations from global audiences and stakeholders. With Trump’s attendance at major public events still generating intense reactions, the USTA’s approach may be indicative of a new era of tighter event management of politics in sports.