Fact Check: Did Donald Trump and Serena Williams ever play tennis together?

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump has never been known for his interest in tennis, until a recent video surfaced showing him playing the sport with one of the greatest players of all time, Serena Williams.

The unexpected footage quickly took the internet by surprise, but it also sparked doubts about its authenticity.

The video has raised suspicions, leaving many wondering whether this moment was genuine or carefully crafted to deceive viewers.

Video shows Donald Trump and Serena Williams playing tennis together

Weeks after Donald Trump’s inauguration, a video surfaced on X (formerly Twitter). Posted by a user under the handle @realjessica05, the video shows the president playing tennis with Serena Williams. The video quickly gained attention, racking up over 2.6K comments, 11.3 million views, and 158K supportive reactions. 

The 1.42-minute clip was captioned, “Just when you think you’ve seen it all... Trump playing tennis with Serena Williams, barefoot in a full suit 😂.”

In the nearly two-minute video, Trump can be seen hitting a few balls with Williams, with the audience cheering when he manages to make a successful hit. However, when one of Trump’s shots hit the net, the crowd sighed.

Overall, it was a wholesome moment for everyone present, witnessing Trump play alongside Serena Williams. 

According to Snopes, Trump also introduced Williams at the event, saying, “It is an honor to have the incredible Serena Williams join us today to officially open this magnificent building — she is a true champion and is the greatest of all time.” 

Williams also praised the venue, stating, “This doesn't look like your average tennis facility, and I've been in a lot of tennis facilities. This one is the best one I've ever seen.”

Upon watching the video, many questioned, "Is this for real?" wondering if the clip was genuine or AI-generated.

True: Donald Trump once played tennis with Serena Williams

While many questioned the authenticity of the video being circulated on social media, it has been reported that Donald Trump did, in fact, play tennis with Serena Williams. Several pieces of credible evidence have been gathered to confirm this as a true event.

First, reputable news outlets have reported that Trump visited a tennis facility he backed in Sterling, Virginia, on April 7, 2015, and briefly played tennis with Williams.

Second, the video appears to be free from digital manipulation or artificial software, suggesting it is not a product of editing.

The most significant evidence comes from the official Facebook page of the Trump National Golf Club, which shared a video of the volley exchange on the day the event took place in 2015.

 Additionally, an independent photographer from Virginia published a gallery of images from the event, including shots of Trump and Williams posing together on the court.

Although the exact origin of the video’s recent resurfacing on social media is unclear, these pieces of evidence confirm that the clip is indeed authentic.