US President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally for US Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in Youngstown, Ohio, US, October 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Some political analysts were disgusted on Monday night after President Donald Trump dished out a backhanded compliment to a rising MAGA darling.
Trump held a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday to stump for Republicans like Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. During his speech, he had a side conversation with former NFL coach John Gruden, who traveled with the president to the event, about Sophie Cunningham, a professional women's basketball player who has backed the Trump administration's efforts to exclude transgender women from women's sports.
"A lot of men like to go and watch her. She's beautiful. You're not allowed to say that anymore... any time a politician says a woman is beautiful, that's usually the end of his career," Trump said. "You wouldn't mind her on your team, not to help you with points, but to help you with attendance. You're attendance would be way up!"
Trump's comments sparked a firestorm on social media.
"Trump says Sophie Cunningham sucks at basketball but he likes her because she’s hot," Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of the MeidasTouch Network, posted on X.
"Ugh, he’s such an old creep," Mehdi Hasan, founder of Zeteo News, posted on X.
"Oh. My. God. Even he knows she’s not actually a good player," Hemant Mehta, a "Jeopardy!" champion, posted on X.
"Sort of a backhanded compliment," the political commentary account "PatriotTakes" posted on X.
"Pig," Michael Salfino, fantasy sports writer for The Athletic, posted 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. https://t.co/qYkNgUpUa6
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 12, 2026