Aaron Boone recalls 'special night' after Trump's meeting with Yankees on 9/11 anniversary

Thursday night in New York marked the first time since 2019 that a sitting president had attended a Major League Baseball game.

It is hardly the first sporting event President Donald Trump has been to since his second term began, but this one had a little extra juice to it.

Trump attended the New York Yankees' 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers in the Bronx on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

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Roughly a few miles from Ground Zero, Trump received a mostly positive ovation from the more than 40,000 people at Yankee Stadium. Yet the crowd was able to get over differences for multiple "USA" chants throughout the night.

"It was an awesome night. Meaningful," manager Aaron Boone told reporters after the game. "Captain [Aaron Judge] just spoke about it, just having us out there kind of all lined up together, first for the moment of silence, then back out there for the anthem, and just that buzz that New York City can create, you definitely felt it tonight. Obviously, the president being here, just an added layer. September baseball against a really good club. A special night to be a part of, and hopefully none of us took it for granted."

Trump met with the Yankees in the clubhouse and called Judge a "fantastic player." The reigning AL MVP (and favorite to win again this year) responded by belting a home run in each of his first two at-bats and tying Joe DiMaggio for fourth place on the Yankees' all-time home runs list.

AARON JUDGE HITS 2 HOME RUNS AFTER MEETING TRUMP, WHO CALLED HIM A 'FANTASTIC PLAYER'

"It was meaningful to see your superstar go out there and do that. And I know what it meant to Aaron. You guys know how impactful and how important that ‘NY’ is that he wears in the pinstripes. What it is to represent this city now as one of the faces of the city as a sports figure now, it means a lot to him, and it's not lost on him. So for him to go out and have that game on a night like tonight is a little extra special," Boone said.

The clock almost struck midnight on Trump's visit to the Yankees — he entered the clubhouse at around 6:40 p.m. ET, and according to Boone, he was supposed to arrive at 5:45 p.m. ET.

But the skipper sounded like the wait was worth it.

"It was great. I was there with Carlos [Rodon] and Gerrit [Cole] when he walked into the doors of our clubhouse. It's a little intimidating, you're a little nervous, but he was great," Boone said. "He's great in that setting, real personable, took some pictures, shook hands. And then we walked him into the main area where the players were, and they got to greet him. 

"It was a really, really cool interaction, I think, for a lot of people. Glad he was able to be here, and I think it meant a lot to a lot of people. So definitely a cool experience."

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Vice President JD Vance escorts Charlie Kirk's casket before flight on Air Force Two from Utah to Arizona

Vice President JD Vance walked alongside the casket of Charlie Kirk on Thursday evening, marking the beginning of a series of solemn tributes to the conservative figure.

Escorted across the tarmac in Salt Lake City, Utah, by a military pallbearer detail, Kirk’s casket will travel aboard Air Force Two, returning him to his home state of Arizona. A video of the moment showed his wife Erika Frantzve visibly emotional as the casket passed before her.

WHAT KIRK’S ASSASSINATION MEANS FOR TRUMP’S SECURITY

Upon arriving in Phoenix, Frantzve deplaned Air Force Two while holding the hand of second lady Usha Vance. His casket was transported to Hansen Memorial Chapel. Kirk will be buried in Arizona and President Donald Trump said he will attend the funeral.

Trump told reporters on Thursday evening that he believed that Kirk's funeral would be held "next weekend" adding that he would attend.

The revelation comes as federal authorities continue to search for the suspect that assassinated Kirk during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday's event, the first in what was supposed to be a series Turning Point USA's "American Comeback Tour," was nothing out of the ordinary. Kirk, the charismatic founder of the nation’s conservative youth activist group, gained recognition for his signature political debates on college campuses. 

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK 

During a press conference on Thursday, authorities say the suspect "blended in well with a college institution." In a photo later released by law enforcement, the individual is seen wearing a hat, sunglasses, and an American flag T-shirt with an eagle on it. 

The FBI appealed for more public tips, photos, and videos to help piece together the string of events that led to Kirk's death. 

"We truly rely on the public's help in these types of cases. No tip is too small or too insignificant," FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said Thursday.

Individuals with relevant information can submit via an online page on the FBI's website. The one-page form requests contact details, a description of what was submitted, and the files themselves. 

People can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI if they have tips.

The FBI also announced an award of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person responsible.

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