Trump shouts out ‘beautiful’ Sophie Cunningham at Ohio rally: ‘Wouldn’t mind her on the team’

Sophie Cunningham got a shoutout from President Donald Trump during a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday night.

Trump said the Indiana Fever star is “beautiful” and “a lot of men [want] to go and watch her.”

“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,” Trump added.

Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever arrives at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., before a game against the Minnesota Lynx on Sept. 22, 2026. (NBAE via Getty Images)

The president then said Cunningham’s addition to a team would “help…with attendance.”

“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 great,” Trump said.

Cunningham has been a fan favorite since joining the Fever, as she has often come to the defense of Caitlin Clark amid hard fouls on the third-year phenom. But her popularity skyrocketed after a quote was unearthed in which she said biological males should not play in girls’ and women’s sports.

Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever smiles before the game against the Washington Mystics on Sept. 20, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. (NBAE via Getty Images)

“I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” Cunningham said earlier this year.

“It’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category.”

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham takes a selfie with fans before a game against the Washington Mystics on Sept. 20, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cunningham’s jersey is listed as a top seller and, as of publication , is the top jersey WNBA fans see on Fanatics.