Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr isn't one to shy away from politics, and Wednesday's media session proved no exception. With the midterm elections officially in the books and Democrats celebrating a strong night, Kerr took a playful—and pointed—swing at President Donald Trump.
Before the elections, Trump had promised supporters a sweet incentive: a $5,000 check for every American if Republicans held onto Congress. Dubbed the "Trump Dividend," it was a bold pledge that never materialized. Democrats flipped Senate seats in Kansas, South Carolina, and Texas, and are projected to control at least 245 House seats—a decisive blow to the GOP.
When asked about the outcome, Kerr couldn't hide his amusement. "I'm just disappointed because I was looking forward to that $5,000 check that we were all going to get," he said with a smirk. The comment drew chuckles from reporters, but it was clear the coach was making a larger point.
Kerr, who endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, has never been shy about his political leanings. He's been a vocal critic of Trump, and Wednesday's remarks were no different. But he also struck a more diplomatic tone, saying, "I believe in democracy and the American people have spoken and voted for Trump. I want him to do well the next four years. I want our country to do well."
Then came the twist. Kerr added, "I'm just thankful that there wasn't any voting fraud this time. Last time, I mean, all those illegal immigrants who crashed the border, raped and murdered people and then voted six times, that was unfortunate. But thankfully this time everything was clean. So, it's great that every election has been really valid except for that last one four years ago." He paused, then added, "Twinkle in my eye as I say that in case you couldn't see."
The sarcasm was unmistakable. Kerr's jab referenced Trump's baseless claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, which have been repeatedly debunked. By highlighting the absurdity of those claims, Kerr made it clear he hasn't softened his stance on the administration.
Kerr's comments come amid a broader wave of political reactions from sports figures. Dave Bautista's own criticism of Trump and the Democratic wins has been making headlines, while Rob Gronkowski's Election Day appearance sparked speculation about his political leanings. Meanwhile, Joe Scarborough's fiery takedown of Pat McAfee on Election Day showed that tensions run high across the sports-media landscape.
For Kerr, this isn't the first time he's mixed hoops with politics. He's previously spoken out on issues like gun control and social justice, and his candid thoughts on WNBA Finals scheduling chaos show he's not afraid to voice opinions on league matters either. But Wednesday's remarks were distinctly political, and they underscored the deep divide that continues to shape America's conversation.
As the Warriors prepare for the season ahead, Kerr's off-court commentary will likely keep drawing attention. Love him or hate him, he's never one to stay silent—especially when a $5,000 check is on the line.
