Did Donald Trump make a backhanded compliment about WNBA star Sophie Cunningham?

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Sophie Cunningham became the latest target for one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s jokes earleir this week, but not before offering a big compliment to the WNBA star.

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During a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday, Trump called the Indiana Fever guard “beautiful” while joking that complimenting a woman’s appearance could “end” someone’s political career.

“You have a lot of men wanting to go and watch her. She’s beautiful,” Trump said of Cunningham. “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.”

Did Trump insult Sophie?

But Trump didn’t stop there, intoning that fans likely appreciate Cunningham for her looks rather than her athletic ability.

“Sophie is a beautiful young woman,” Trump said. “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.”

Cunningham, who started just three games this season for the Fever and is a pending free agent, saw her numbers dip in 2026. She averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game – her worst statistical season since 2021.

What issues has Sophie Cunningham spoken out about?

While Cunningham has been outspoken on many hot-button topics as she has become increasingly in the public eye, she previously described her politics as “very much in the middle.”

She also become a catalyst in the debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports – the WNBA, in particular – earlier this year. After her comments in an interview this summer, protesters on both sides of the debate began to rally outside of Indiana Fever games while former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom attempted to enter the 2027 WNBA draft.

Cunningham also spoke out about the viral Sydney Sweeney ad campaign for Novig, a sports prediction market site.

While many female athletes had condemned the Euphoria actress for the racy ads, Cunningham didn’t see much of a problem with the content.

“Why are girls mad? That is literally what (Sweney) does. Why is anyone mad?” Cunningham rhetorically asked. “It is a gambling ad: Men, sports, pretty much naked women. Of course, that’s going to draw attention.

“Again, do I agree with it? Morally, I think it’s kind of weird, but each to their own. Go do your thing, sis.”

Cunningham also explained that she didn’t believe the ad was an attack on women in sports.

“At the end of the day, I’m really loving seeing all these girls who are powerful, strong, showing young girls what it looks like to be an athlete,” she said. “I don’t think the ad was coming for women in sport.”

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