Floyd Mayweather has found himself at the centre of another social media storm after publicly endorsing President Donald Trump during a rally in Arizona.
The former five-division world champion addressed the crowd in Bullhead City on October 14, expressing his admiration for the United States and describing Trump as the right person to lead the country.
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Mayweather's appearance attracted attention beyond the political event itself. Clips of his speech circulated online, prompting a mixture of supportive reactions, jokes and criticism from boxing fans.
Some questioned why the retired fighter had chosen to participate in the rally, while others targeted his intelligence and personal life rather than focusing on his political message.
One reaction shared after footage of Mayweather and Trump circulated online read: “Those hits to the head are catching up lol.”
The comment reflected the mocking tone adopted by some users, although it does not establish anything about Mayweather's health. The criticism instead illustrates how the boxer's public persona often attracts as much attention as his sporting achievements.
During his address, Mayweather spoke about representing the United States at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta before praising Trump's presidency.
“America is the best country in the world,” Mayweather said. “If I died and came back a million times, I will always choose America. It was great to represent this country in the 1996 Olympic Games to go out there and represent the red, white, and blue.
“And we can…we couldn’t have chosen a better president twice than Donald Trump. So, it’s all about keeping this country strong, and it’s all about us sticking together and believing in one another. America is the best country in the world. Thank you.”
The speech made his position clear, but the reaction demonstrated how divisive celebrity involvement in politics can be.
Mayweather's words about national pride were accompanied by an explicit endorsement of Trump, giving critics a fresh opportunity to debate the boxer's public influence.
Why Mayweather's support for Trump is drawing criticism
The Arizona appearance was not the first time Mayweather had praised the president. In February 2025, the boxing star appeared on Fox Business and described Trump as a great president and businessman, explaining that he admired the president's approach to business and leadership.
"Trump is a great president," he said. "He's the best president in my eyes, a great businessman. And that's what it's about."
Mayweather's latest remarks therefore continue a position he has expressed publicly before, rather than representing a sudden change of political direction.
His comments have also come amid a wider trend of athletes and entertainers appearing alongside political figures, where celebrity endorsements can attract attention from audiences who might not otherwise follow a campaign.
However, some online responses focused less on Trump's policies and more on Mayweather himself.
“Floyd isn’t very high IQ outside the boxing ring,” one fan wrote.
Another user commented: “This mf can’t even read. I’m not listening to him,” while a separate reaction stated, “You know it’s from the heart since he can’t read from the teleprompter.”
The remarks refer to a long-running online narrative about Mayweather's reading ability. His former associate, rapper 50 Cent, has repeatedly mocked him over the issue, including challenging him to read a page from a Harry Potter book on camera.
That personal feud has helped keep the subject alive on social media, even though it has little bearing on Mayweather's achievements as a professional boxer.
Other comments were more direct in questioning his influence. “The last person anybody’s gonna listen to is Floyd Mayweather,” one user wrote.
Another added, “Is anyone really listening to Floyd? He’s a grandpa walking around with tons of cash trying to impress…Grow up, my guy.”
Such reactions show how Mayweather's enormous sporting profile has not necessarily translated into universal respect for his views outside boxing.
His supporters may see his appearance as an expression of personal freedom and patriotism, while critics argue that celebrity endorsements invite scrutiny, particularly when they involve controversial political figures.
Mayweather's boxing legacy and troubles outside the ring
Mayweather's sporting achievements remain difficult to dispute. He retired from professional boxing with an undefeated 50-0 record, having beaten a long list of prominent opponents during a career that included championship victories across multiple weight divisions.
His defensive technique, timing and ability to control fights made him one of the defining boxers of his generation.
He has remained involved in boxing since his professional retirement in 2017, particularly through exhibition events. Yet his plans for further appearances have encountered complications in 2026.
An exhibition against Greek kickboxing star Mike Zambidis, scheduled for June in Athens, was called off amid a legal dispute involving CSI Sports Events.
The company alleged that Mayweather's agreements to fight Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao created contractual restrictions on competing in other events first.
Those claims were part of a legal dispute, rather than a finding that Mayweather had committed wrongdoing. The proposed Pacquiao rematch was also pushed into uncertainty.
Mayweather has also faced scrutiny over financial matters. In April 2026, The Ring reported that the IRS had notified him of its intention to alert the State Department about a possible passport revocation related to an unresolved tax debt. That development threatened to complicate his international exhibition plans.
Those issues have contributed to the broader attention surrounding Mayweather, although they are separate from his political endorsement.
The fact that he continues to attract headlines across sport, business and politics reflects his unusual position as a globally recognised athlete whose public life extends far beyond the ring.
Ultimately, Mayweather's appearance in Arizona has reopened the debate over how much influence celebrities should wield in political conversations. His supporters are entitled to view his endorsement as a personal expression of patriotism, while critics remain free to challenge his judgment and political choices.
The backlash may continue online, but it does not change the central point: Mayweather has made his support for Trump public, and the reaction shows that his words still command attention.