President Donald Trump used a baseball-themed appearance in Georgia on Wednesday to take a lighthearted but pointed shot at the New York Mets while praising the Atlanta Braves for maintaining a consistent winning culture.
During an event in Marietta, Georgia, Trump shared the stage with former Braves manager Brian Snitker and Mike Plant, the president and CEO of Braves Development Company. While discussing the organization’s success, Trump highlighted what he sees as a major contrast between the Braves and teams that spend heavily but struggle to produce results.
Trump specifically referenced the Mets, who have become known across Major League Baseball for their enormous payroll but inconsistent results on the field.
“So, I like baseball,” Trump said while addressing the crowd. “But this guy (Plant) has done such a great job. You know, the Mets have the highest salary in baseball, and they lose all the time.”
The comment drew attention because New York has frequently been viewed as one of baseball’s biggest spenders, particularly after billionaire owner Steve Cohen purchased the team in 2020 and committed significant financial resources toward building a championship contender.
Despite those investments, the Mets have struggled to consistently meet expectations, leading to criticism from fans and analysts who believe spending alone does not guarantee success.
Trump used the Mets as an example while praising Atlanta’s ability to remain competitive without constantly going through rebuilding phases.
“I say, ‘Maybe we can steal this guy,’” Trump joked while referring to Plant. “You don’t realize how good he is.”
Trump emphasized that successful organizations are not only built through money but also through strong leadership, stability, and long-term planning.
“There are teams like that, where they never go down,” Trump said. “Then you have other teams — ‘We’re rebuilding.’ They’ve been rebuilding for years.”
Although he avoided naming additional teams, Trump suggested that some franchises repeatedly struggle because they lack the leadership needed to maintain sustained success.
“I don’t want to mention teams because I know all the owners. They’re all friends of mine. I’ll get myself in trouble,” he added.
Trump continued by praising Plant’s role with the Braves, saying he represents the kind of executive who helps an organization stay competitive year after year.
“This guy never rebuilds. He just stays at the top. He’s amazing,” Trump said.
While Plant is not responsible for the Braves’ baseball operations decisions, his work has been a major part of the franchise’s overall success. He primarily oversees the real estate and development side of the organization through Braves Development Company.
That division has played a major role in projects surrounding the team, including The Battery Atlanta, the mixed-use development located next to Truist Park, as well as improvements connected to the Braves’ spring training facilities.
The Braves’ success extends beyond the field, as the organization has become one of the most valuable and financially stable franchises in professional sports.
Atlanta operates as part of Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc., making it the only publicly traded Major League Baseball organization. Because of that structure, the team has multiple business branches, including Braves Development Company, which focuses on commercial growth and real estate ventures.
While Plant handles the business side, the Braves’ baseball decisions are led by Alex Anthopoulos, the club’s president of baseball operations and general manager. Anthopoulos has helped build one of baseball’s most consistent rosters, with Atlanta regularly competing for postseason appearances.
Trump’s comments also touched on one of the Braves’ most recognizable traditions — the “Tomahawk Chop” celebration.
During the event, fans performed the gesture while chanting in support of the team. The tradition has been celebrated by Braves supporters for decades but has also faced criticism from some Native American groups who consider it insensitive.
Addressing the crowd, Trump encouraged fans to continue the celebration despite the controversy.
“They say you’re not allowed to do that,” Trump told attendees. “Do it.”
Trump briefly participated in the gesture himself as fans cheered.
The debate surrounding the Braves’ name and the Chop has continued for years, especially as several professional sports teams have changed names and branding connected to Native American imagery.
In 2021, before the World Series between Atlanta and Houston, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred defended the Braves’ continued use of the team name and the Chop tradition.
Manfred explained that MLB teams operate in different communities with different perspectives and said the relationship between the Braves and Native American groups in the region was a significant factor in the league’s position.
“It’s important to understand that we have 30 markets around the country,” Manfred said at the time. “They aren’t all the same.”
He added that the Native American community in the Atlanta region supported the Braves’ traditions, including the Chop, and said the league considered that support when evaluating the issue.
The Braves have continued using the celebration despite the broader national conversation surrounding team names and cultural representation.
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