President Trump gave the New York Yankees a pep talk on Thursday, and the players took it to heart — clobbering the Detroit Tigers with the commander in chief looking on.
“You’re gonna win. You’re gonna go all the way,” Trump told the Bronx Bombers gathered in the clubhouse before the game at Yankee Stadium
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge started the fireworks early, launching his 45th home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning — just moments after shaking Trump’s hand in the clubhouse.
Judge would go on to hit his 46th homer two innings later.
“You have that much muscle, you have to hit the ball perfect,” Trump said to Judge before the game. “You’re a fantastic player. … You’re an unbelievable player.”
Trump shook hands with several players and even signed at least one autograph in the clubhouse.
Yankees pitcher Fernando Cruz was in a towel shortly before Trump walked in and was urged by his teammates to quickly get dressed, a witness told the White House press pool.
The president, joined by several congressional and Trump administration officials, was greeted warmly by the fans in attendance on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Trump received loud cheers and a quieter, smattering of boos when he was shown on the stadium’s video board, saluting the American flag, during the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Chants of “USA, USA” also broke out.
The president was formally recognized by public address announcer Paul Olden in the middle of the second inning, and the crowd reacted similarly.
“The New York Yankees welcome back to Yankee Stadium the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, on the solemn anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001,” Olden said as he introduced Trump.
Trump watched the game from the Steinbrenner family suite at Yankee Stadium, protected by three panes of bulletproof glass.
Yankees fans were encouraged by the organization to show up at the ballpark as early as possible given the heightened security measures.
The Post spotted what appeared to be Secret Service agents high up in the stadium stands and on rooftops near the ballpark.
The president was seated near owner Hal Steinbrenner and team president Randy Levine.
Several members of New York’s congressional delegation, including Republican Reps. Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, Nicole Malliotakis and Elise Stefanik, were also spotted in the owner’s box with Trump.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte were among the Trump administration officials at the game with their boss.
Conservative commentator, author and former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly was also seen chatting with Trump at the ballpark.
“I almost got arrested,” O’Reilly joked with reporters after he was stopped by law enforcement trying to cross a barricaded street outside the stadium.
O’Reilly did not answer questions about his lengthy in-game conversation with Trump.
Trump left the game in the 7th inning, shortly after the signing of “God Bless America” and after being out of sight — behind-closed doors in the box — for about 46 minutes.
The president received a rousing send-off, with fans chanting, “Donald Trump! Donald!” as he departed.
Trump broke out his signature dance, indulging the crowd when “YMCA” blared on the speakers.
At least two Tigers players mimicked Trump’s dance after base hits.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, whom Trump is reportedly interested in luring out of the Big Apple mayoral race to thwart socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani chances of victory, did not make an appearance in the president’s suite.
As Trump predicted, the Yankees defeated the Tigers by a score of 9-3.
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