Donald Trump spoke at a campaign event at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio on Monday ahead of the midterm elections. At one point during his hour-plus speech Trump started talking about Sophie Cunningham, the WNBA free agent who exploded in popularity since joining the Indiana Fever in 2025. She has also made headlines for non-basketball reasons, which is why Trump probably brought her up.
Trump praised Cunningham with what could best be described as a backhanded compliment, in effect saying you don’t want her on your team because of her basketball ability.
MORE: Sophie Cunningham rips WNBA columnist for urging Fever to part ways
Donald Trump on Sophie Cunningham
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. https://t.co/qYkNgUpUa6
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“A lot of men want to go and watch her,” said Trump of Cunningham. “She’s beautiful. You’re not allowed to say that anymore however. As a politician, please, please let me take it back. Anytime a politician says a woman is beautiful that’s generally the end of his political career in the modern day politic world, but Sophie 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. The attendance would be good.”
MORE: Colin Cowherd crowns Sophie Cunningham as WNBA’s ‘sex symbol’
The thing is, Cunningham is actually a valuable player on the court. She was 27th in three-pointers made per game. She was also one of just 14 players who shot higher than 40% from three this season. Cunningham appeared in 43 of 44 regular season games and was the fourth-leading scorer on a Fever team that made the playoffs this season.
The Fever and a number of other teams will consider her for a spot on their rosters this coming season. And attendance will have nothing to do with it, even if Cunningham agrees that’s one of the things she brings to the table.
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