Make America Wait Again: Trump Turns U.S. Open Into $600 TSA Checkpoint
NEW YORK — For thousands of U.S. Open fans, Sunday’s men’s final wasn’t just about tennis—it was about learning just how many metal detectors it takes to protect one particular government official…
President Donald Trump’s arrival led to airport-style security so extreme that entire sections of Arthur Ashe Stadium sat empty through the opening set. Some fans reported waiting nearly two hours just to have belts removed and water bottles confiscated. “I paid $635 to watch Alcaraz, not to role-play as a passenger at JFK,” fumed one attendee.
Inside the stadium, Trump was met with cascading boos, while thousands still shuffled through checkpoints outside.
Tournament officials issued a statement thanking fans for their “patience and understanding,” though attendees suggested less diplomatic translations. By the time many finally sat down, the match was already halfway over, and the only memory they’d secured was of sweating in line while their $600 tickets depreciated in real time.
“It’s official,” muttered one exhausted spectator. “Trump ruins everything.”