New York: President Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night, drawing a mix of cheers and boos as he marked the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and attended a game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.

Seated in the Steinbrenner family’s box suite on the third base side, just above the visiting team’s dugout, Trump was seen chatting with Yankees team president Randy Levine throughout the game. Security glass was installed around the suite for the president’s protection, and his presence brought an elevated security footprint to the stadium — particularly following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah a day earlier.

A divided reaction from the crowd?

Trump’s presence was formally acknowledged during the second inning when the stadium’s jumbotron showed him as “Hail to the Chief” played. The reaction was mixed: initial boos gave way to cheers, while Trump smiled and repeatedly pumped his fist.

Earlier, during the national anthem, Trump also appeared on the big screen and received a similar blend of applause and jeers from the crowd.

When Yankees star Aaron Judge hit a home run in the first inning, Trump stood and applauded, joined by members of his entourage — including former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Lee Zeldin, now the head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Remembering 9/11

Trump’s appearance on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks evoked comparisons to President George W. Bush’s ceremonial first pitch during the 2001 World Series. That moment, at the time, became a national symbol of unity and resilience.

Yankee Stadium observed the solemn anniversary with a moment of silence before the first pitch. During the seventh-inning stretch, fans sang both “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “God Bless America,” a tradition since the attacks. The scoreboard displayed a tribute reading: “September 11, 2001, We Shall Not Forget” beneath a large MLB logo and ribbon. Flags were flown at half-staff following Trump’s executive order honoring Charlie Kirk.

Heightened security following Kirk assassination

With Trump in attendance, and just one day after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, security at Yankee Stadium was significantly increased. All entrances featured metal detectors, Secret Service agents, and K9 units. NYPD helicopters circled overhead. Fans were advised to arrive early and leave bags at home to ease entry. Gates opened three hours before game time.

“Fans were strongly urged to arrive as early as possible,” the Yankees said in a statement.

The increased precautions mirrored similar delays seen during Trump’s recent appearance at the U.S. Open men’s final in Queens, where security lines caused many to miss the start of the match — despite a 30-minute delay.

A pre-game visit and familiar ties

Before the game began, Trump stopped by the Yankees’ clubhouse, greeting players and staff. He recalled his long relationship with late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

“We won every time I came,” Trump told the team, predicting a win. “You think that was easy sitting with him for a game? It wasn’t. It was brutal. But he won, and you’re going to win.”

He wished the players “a lot of luck.”

One light moment came as pitcher Fernando Cruz, still in a towel, was urged by teammates to quickly get dressed before Trump entered. During the meeting, Trump gently patted shortstop Anthony Volpe on the shoulder — just as the team had revealed that Volpe had been quietly playing with a partial labrum tear.

A history of mixed reactions at sporting events

Though Trump was born in Queens and still refers to himself as a New Yorker, his appearances at major sporting events have not always been warmly received. In 2019, during his first term, he attempted to make a low-key visit to Game 5 of the World Series in Washington, D.C., but was loudly booed when shown on the screen — with chants of “Lock him up!” breaking out in the crowd.

Thursday night’s Yankees game marks Trump’s eighth appearance at a major sporting event since returning to the White House in January. His post-election sports tour has included the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, NCAA wrestling championships, FIFA Club World Cup final, UFC events, and the U.S. Open.