Fox News co-host Lisa Boothe said she felt "a little nervous" when she saw certain celebrities in the crowd at the U.S. Open men's final where former President Donald Trump was in attendance, remarks that drew swift mockery on social media.
Boothe, a contributor who co-hosted Sunday’s edition of The Big Weekend Show, voiced concern after panelists acknowledged some audible jeers aimed at Trump and debated an apparent network guideline to avoid showcasing disruptions or reactions to his presence. "I did get a little nervous looking at the crowd when you see people like Danny DeVito, who’s been really negative on President Trump, or Pink, who has said really terrible things about Trump supporters in the past," Boothe said on air. She also mentioned Stephen Curry, noting his 2017 refusal to visit the White House with the Golden State Warriors. "But I think all in all, it went well ... I’m sure he had a great time, and I think a good time was had by all," she added.
The remarks came as Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner to win the men’s final. Cameras captured a number of celebrities in the stands, and some fans were audible in their responses to Trump’s appearance. Network hosts and producers often face scrutiny over how to balance live coverage of major sporting events with the presence of public officials and any ensuing crowd reaction.
Social media users sharply criticized Boothe’s comment, framing it as excessive deference to the former president. One post on X mocked the concern by alluding to DeVito’s stature, writing, "Yes, Danny DeVito, 48 inches of sheer pulse-pounding terror." Another user wrote, "She’s nervous about folks in the crowd who ‘have said bad things about Trump in the past?’ The level of sycophancy to the Dear Leader is staggering." Additional posts questioned the emphasis placed on the celebrities rather than on Trump himself.
DeVito, Pink and Curry have publicly criticized Trump in past years. Curry declined a White House visit in 2017 after the Warriors' championship, and both DeVito and Pink have at times expressed opposition to the former president. The debate on Sunday briefly touched on how broadcasters should handle live reactions to political figures at public events, with panelists offering differing takes on whether a policy to avoid showcasing disruptions is intended to protect viewers or to shield the guest of honor from negative coverage.
Boothe’s comments join a broader conversation about media coverage of political figures in nonpolitical settings, and about how personalities and pundits interpret the presence of vocal critics in a crowd. The segment and the subsequent online reaction illustrate the growing interplay between televised commentary and immediate social media responses to high-profile appearances at major sporting events.