Baseball Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2024, citing their long-standing personal friendship that predates Trump’s time in office.
Speaking on a New York radio show, Rivera said Trump is his friend and because of that friendship, he will vote for him.
“President Trump, he’s my friend. I can’t deny that. Before he was the president, he was my friend. Because of that, I’m going to vote for him,” Rivera said.
THANK YOU SID, AND MARIANO RIVERA! pic.twitter.com/RGdU9i1Bqq
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 6, 2024
“I can’t deny that. I will tell that to anyone. Before he was the president, he was my friend,” he added.
“Because he’s my friend, I’m going to vote for him.”
Rivera framed the endorsement beyond partisan politics, saying it is the right thing for the country.
It is “the right thing for the country,” he said.
Trump thanked Rivera for the endorsement on social media.
“THANK YOU SID, AND MARIANO RIVERA!” Trump wrote.
Their friendship goes back years – Trump awarded Rivera the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 for his baseball success and charity work, with Rivera’s entrance song playing.
Rivera, a longtime Yankee who helped lead dynasties in the late 90s, is the all-time MLB saves leader and was naturalized as a US citizen in 2015 after a decorated career.
