LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Floyd Mayweather Jr. looks on during a news conference with Deji Olatunji at the Mayweather Boxing Club on October 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather is scheduled to fight Olatunji in an exhibition match in Dubai on November 13, 2022. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
In a recent interview, boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. expressed his admiration for former U.S. President Donald Trump, referring to him as the “best president” in American history. Mayweather’s support for Trump is not new; in a 2017 interview with Hollywood Unlocked, he defended Trump’s controversial 2005 comments about groping women, describing them as “locker room talk” and stating, “He speaks like a real man.”
Mayweather’s relationship with Trump dates back several years. Trump attended Mayweather’s high-profile bout against Manny Pacquiao in 2015, and Mayweather was present at Trump’s inauguration in January 2017. In the same 2017 interview, Mayweather dismissed allegations of racism against Trump, asserting that such claims only surfaced after Trump announced his presidential candidacy. He remarked, “Racism still exists, but you never heard anything about Donald Trump being racist until he ran for president.”
Mayweather’s outspoken support for Trump has sparked controversy, especially given his own history of legal issues, including multiple convictions related to violence against women. Critics argue that his defense of Trump’s derogatory remarks and his dismissal of racism allegations reflect a broader insensitivity to issues of misogyny and racial discrimination.
Despite the backlash, Mayweather remains steadfast in his views, often emphasizing his belief in “realness” and authenticity. His comments continue to ignite debates on the intersection of sports, politics, and social issues, highlighting the complex dynamics of celebrity influence in political discourse.
