President Trump draws cheers and boos while marking 9/11 by attending Yankee game
THE BRONX, New York (WABC) -- Tensions are high, and so was security at Yankee Stadium, where President Donald Trump watched the New York Yankees 9-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night, drawing a mixed reaction from a raucous crowd while marking the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
While tensions are normally heightened around September 11th, it was even more so in light of Wednesday's deadly shooting of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
The president's appearance now carried even greater significance and required even greater security.
The Secret Service arrived at the stadium in the morning and performed security sweeps with K9s.
A photo showed a barrier set up as an extra layer of protection in the stands.
Sprinkled among the Yankee paraphernalia, there was a noticeable amount of pro-Trump t-shirts and MAGA hats, countered by fans hurling anti-Trump Bronx cheers.
It was a sign of the political tension wrapped around the president's visit.
Some fans began arriving more than three hours early, and many others arrived even earlier than that.
"Got here early because everybody is here to see Trump," said one fan.
That's because they had to go through a TSA-style security checkpoint with the president attending the game.
Pregame ceremonies recognized the victims and heroes of 9/11, while the president watched from the Steinbrenner family box.
During a similar visit to the U.S. Open in Queens on Sunday, the Men's Singles Final was delayed for 45 minutes as fans were individually screened through airport-style metal detectors.
Fans stood outside for hours, and Arthur Ashe Stadium appeared half full at the start of play.
"Of course you're going to feel a little weird based on current events but we're going to a Yankee game. You know what I mean?" said fan Dennis Dowd.
Fans Eyewitness News spoke to before 4 p.m. say they got to the stadium early to avoid that scenario and also focus on what today is really about... to "never forget."
"It's a dark time for this country but at the same time it's a way to remember things, 9/11 a way to remember what is important," said fan Catherine Fitzgerald. "Make sure we don't overshadow what happened 24 years ago with what happened very recently you know what I mean?"
The president is staying in the city Thursday night then will head to Bedminster for the weekend.
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