Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Trump praises WNBA player Sophie Cunningham’s appearance at Ohio rally
Donald Trump spoke at a Republican campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, ahead of the midterm elections.
He praised WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, saying she was beautiful and that her appearance could draw fans to games.
He also suggested her value to a team could be attendance rather than points, prompting criticism online.
Cunningham plays for the Indiana Fever, whose season ended in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
She has spoken about protecting girls in women’s sports, a subject that has become part of a political debate.
Although she has been labelled the “MAGA Barbie” online, Cunningham has said her political views are in the middle and that people make assumptions about them.
The account gives no further response or next step from Cunningham.
Donald Trump praised WNBA player Sophie Cunningham’s appearance at a Republican campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio.
He said she was beautiful and suggested her presence could help draw fans to a team.
Trump made the remarks while speaking about women in college sports.
Cunningham has said her political views are “very much in the middle” and has rejected assumptions that she supports Trump.
The comments drew criticism online from people who said they focused on her looks rather than her basketball ability.
- Who
- Donald Trump and WNBA player Sophie Cunningham.
- What
- Trump praised Cunningham’s appearance at a rally and said she could help draw fans to a team.
- When
- At a rally ahead of the upcoming midterm elections; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Youngstown, Ohio.
- Why
- The discussion had turned to women in college sports, prompting Trump to mention Cunningham.
Donald Trump
Critics of his remarks
Focus of the comments
Donald Trump
Trump called Cunningham beautiful and said her presence could help attendance.
Critics of his remarks
Critics said the remarks focused on her looks rather than her basketball ability.
Trump spoke at a Republican campaign rally in Youngstown ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump’s comments drew criticism online.
- Rally location
- Youngstown, Ohio
- Event
- Republican campaign rally
- Player
- Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever star
- Election context
- Upcoming midterm elections
- Cunningham’s stated political position
- Very much in the middle
What people are saying
Sophie Cunningham. I like Sophie.
You have a lot of men wanting to go and watch her, she's beautiful.
Any time a politician says a woman is beautiful, that's generally the end of his political career in the modern-day political world.
I'm very much in the middle.
Posts on X
Trump: A lot of men like to watch her. Sophie Cunningham is a beautiful young woman. You probably wouldn't mind her on the team not to help you with points, but to help you with attendance.
Sources
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