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Lip reader reveals what Trump told Ivanka's daughter Arabella in heated US Open moment

Donald Trump drew both cheers and boos at the US Open, but his tense exchange with granddaughter Arabella Kushner became the viral moment

BY CONRAD DIAS

PUBLISHED SEP 8, 2025

A viral video captured Donald Trump in conversation with his granddaughter Arabella Kushner during his much-anticipated US Open appearance on Sunday, September 8 (X/@Ronxyz00)

This doesn't sound good.pic.twitter.com/D8LqjDfgvI
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) September 7, 2025

QUEENS, NEW YORK: President Donald Trump attended the US Open men’s final on Sunday, September 8, in Queens, New York, where he was met with a mix of loud boos and cheers.

While his arrival made headlines, an awkward exchange with his granddaughter Arabella Kushner, daughter of Ivanka Trump, captured attention as a lip reader revealed what he told her.

Trump tells granddaughter Arabella Kushner to stay in place

Donald Trump attended the match with his son-in-law Jared Kushner, granddaughter Arabella Kushner, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and others, briefly delaying the start of the match.

Spectators immediately began snapping photos of the entourage.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (L) and Arabella Kushner (R) look on before the start of the U.S. Open men's singles final at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the U.S. Open finals on September 7, 2025 in New York City. President Trump is attending the U.S. Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) — Donald Trump raised his hand as Attorney General Pam Bondi and Arabella Kushner looked on before the US Open men’s singles final at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2025, in New York City (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

According to lip reader Nicola Hickling who spoke to the Irish Star, in the viral video, Arabella appeared distraught as she searched frantically for her missing bag. She was overheard asking dad Jared, “Where is my bag?” to which he replied, “I don’t have it.”

Still distressed, Arabella asked Trump, who was clapping and waving to the crowd, to move so she could continue looking for her bag and phone. Hickling’s analysis suggested Trump told her, “You can stay right there.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: (L-R) U.S. President Donald Trump and granddaughter Arabella Kushner attend the Men's Singles Final match between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on Day Fifteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — Donald Trump and granddaughter Arabella Kushner attended the men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on Day Fifteen of the 2025 US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2025, in New York City (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The moment offered a glimpse into Trump’s dynamic with his family. The president is father to five children and grandfather to 11, who often accompany him to both official and personal events. Recently, his granddaughter Kai Trump, Donald Trump Jr’s daughter, drew attention when she was photographed golfing with him amid speculation about his health.

Trump greeted with boos and cheers at US Open

During the National Anthem ahead of the men’s final, Donald Trump was shown on the stadium monitors saluting as a West Point cadet performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” While some fans cheered, boos quickly followed, prompting the president to respond with a faint smirk.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: (L-R) White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, White House deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, U.S. President Donald Trump, Arabella Kushner and Jared Kushner listen to the singing of the National Anthem before the start of the U.S. Open men's singles final at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the U.S. Open finals on September 7, 2025 in New York City. President Trump is attending the U.S. Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) — Karoline Leavitt, Dan Scavino, Pam Bondi, Donald Trump, Arabella Kushner, and Jared Kushner stood during the national anthem at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the US Open finals on September 7, 2025, in New York City (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

This marked Trump’s first US Open visit since 2015. During that appearance, he was also loudly booed while leaving a Serena vs Venus Williams match. Once a regular at the tournament, Trump styled himself as a celebrity presence and frequently appeared on the big screen.

The US Tennis Association (USTA) had reportedly urged broadcasters not to televise reactions to Trump. However, ESPN briefly showed him during the anthem.