Floyd Mayweather joined President Donald Trump at an Arizona campaign rally Wednesday, stepping into the spotlight to praise the president and celebrate the country he once represented in the Olympics.
Near the end of his speech, Trump welcomed Mayweather onto the stage with praise for his boxing skills.
The former champion finished his professional career without a loss in 50 fights, earning the president’s description of “the greatest defensive fighter.”
Mayweather’s message mixed appreciation for his Olympic experience with support for another Trump presidency. His time representing the United States in 1996 featured prominently in his remarks to the Republican audience.
🚨 WOW! Fighter FLOYD MAYWEATHER just walked out on stage with President Trump in Arizona
"America is the best country in the WORLD." 🇺🇸
"We couldn't have chose a better president TWICE than Donald Trump!" 🔥
"It's all about us sticking together!"
Trump loves fighters,… pic.twitter.com/u4jJ0hRLGJ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 14, 2026
“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,” he remarked.
“We couldn’t have chose 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.”
Mayweather’s endorsement has become a talking point beyond the Arizona crowd, with the appearance gaining attention through videos posted on social media.
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Arizona voters also heard Trump accuse Democrats of threatening the country, with the president drawing on his February 24 State of the Union address to make his argument.
“On election night, Arizona is going to prove that America does not belong to those who hate it,” Trump told the rally. “America belongs to those who love, love, love, love — love it.”
Trump pointed to the reception that military honorees received from Democratic lawmakers during the February speech as an example of the behavior he was criticizing.
“Not one Democrat smiled or clapped,” Trump maintained. “And that’s when I looked at them, and I said, ‘You people are crazy.’ But that’s what we have. They’ll destroy our country.”
His criticism concerned two different parts of the State of the Union. One involved the Medal of Honor presentation to retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, who was 100 at the time. Another honored George “Buddy” Taggart, a veteran of World War II.
Mayweather’s appearance was one of several recent stops in which Trump invited athletes and coaches to participate in his campaign events. San Antonio’s guest last week was Roger Clemens, with Mike Tyson appearing beside the president in Syracuse two days later.
Monday’s gathering in Youngstown featured two Ohio-connected personalities from different sports, football coach John Gruden and boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul.
Trump’s Ohio remarks also turned to Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham, with the president suggesting her looks could attract spectators regardless of her performance on the basketball court.
Cunningham’s willingness to stand up for Caitlin Clark following physical plays has helped make her popular among Indiana Fever followers.
Additional attention came when an earlier statement of hers against allowing biological males into girls’ and women’s competitions gained publicity.
After describing Cunningham as “beautiful,” Trump made a joke about the consequences that complimenting a woman’s looks might have for someone in elected office.
“You’re not allowed to say that anymore, however, as a politician. Please, please, let me take it back,” he joked. “Anytime a politician says a woman is beautiful, that’s generally the end of his political career in the modern-day politic world.”
“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.”
The Youngstown gathering also included an assault on a woman protesting in a “Release the Epstein Files” shirt. A member of the audience punched her in the face while other rallygoers chanted “USA.”
The aftermath left the woman outside the venue in police custody while the attendee responsible for striking her remained among the crowd. Fox News reported that he exchanged high-fives with others after officers took her away.
Trump’s criticism of Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown (D-OH) was interrupted by the disturbance. The president accused demonstrators of accepting money to interfere with his event.
“They’re all paid,” Trump told the crowd. “They get paid by the lefties in order to destroy our country. They’re scum. But he’s going back home to mom.”
Trump also insulted the woman as officers took her away, referring to her as a “fat guy” and saying she “needs to go on a diet.”
Another recent exchange involving Trump and a celebrated sports personality came after the president was informed that Mike Ditka, the former Chicago Bears coach and longtime supporter, had died.
Ditka’s family made his death public Friday, with the Chicago Bears separately honoring the 86-year-old for his decades with the franchise. He reached the Hall of Fame as a tight end before leading Chicago to a Super Bowl championship as head coach.
Football fans knew Ditka as “Iron Mike” and “Da Coach,” nicknames attached to a career that included championships with the Bears on the field and from the sidelines.
Trump had not heard the news before being asked about Ditka. “That’s a sad one. You’re just telling me that now for the first time,” the president responded.
.@POTUS reacts to the passing of Mike Ditka: "He was a great guy. He was with me all the way. He was tough. That's a sad one — you're just telling me that now for the first time… Wow. He was great." pic.twitter.com/8sf1CIU3TG
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 9, 2026
“Wow. He was great. He was great. He was a big supporter of mine. Yeah, no, he was a winner. He was a tough cookie. He was great.”
Ditka’s relationship with Trump’s political movement dated to the 2016 presidential race.
Although he supported the Republican candidate, he turned down the opportunity to address delegates at the Republican National Convention.
Trump previously thanked Ditka for his backing and called the former Bears coach a winner. Ditka’s answer reflected how closely he felt their views about the country aligned.
“Everything you say about things, about the country, I agree with your opinions. You resonate with my kind of people. I believe in what you say wholeheartedly.”