In a recent interview with The New York Times, tennis icon Serena Williams, 42, declined to discuss her relationship with former president Donald Trump, even after she was named as one of his frequent contacts during testimony at his criminal trial. Williams, who ended her tennis career nearly two years ago, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
When asked by reporter David Marchese about being one of Trump’s contacts, Williams responded tersely, “I mean, is this what this interview is about?” Marchese explained his curiosity about what someone might discuss with a president, to which Williams retorted, “I talk to a lot of presidents. I spoke to Barack; I spoke to the Clintons. I spoke to every president since I’ve been alive, including Ronald Reagan, I’ll have you know.”
Pressed further about what presidents might be seeking in their conversations with her, Williams shut down the line of questioning, stating, “I don’t know, I’m not going to go there.”
The topic of Williams’ connection to Trump arose during his recent criminal trial, where he was convicted on all 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to adult actor Stormy Daniels. Daniels alleged she had an affair with Trump in 2006, and the payment was made shortly before the 2016 election to keep her quiet.
During the trial, former Trump aide Madeleine Westerhout testified that Williams was part of a group of people Trump spoke to “frequently” in early 2017 when he entered the White House. Prosecutors presented emails between Westerhout and Trump Organization employee Rhona Graff, in which Westerhout requested a list of people Trump often spoke to. Williams’ name appeared on the Excel spreadsheet provided by Graff, alongside Trump family members, his former fixer Michael Cohen, former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, and several current and former cable news hosts.
Reports suggest that Williams allowed Trump to score a point against her during a friendly match in April 2015 at the opening of a new tennis center at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. Just a few months later, Trump announced his first presidential run.
As Williams continues to navigate her post-tennis career, her reluctance to discuss her relationship with the controversial former president underscores the complex nature of celebrity interactions with political figures. While she acknowledges speaking with numerous presidents throughout her life, Williams remains tight-lipped about the specific nature of those conversations, particularly when it comes to Donald Trump.
Credit: Independent.co.uk.
