Martina Navratilova thinks President Donald Trump has turned USA into "dictatorship" after reports of his banners in government buildings

Tennis great Martina Navratilova has expressed outrage over large portraits of US President Donald Trump reportedly being installed at government buildings.

"People for the American Way," a progressive group, first brought attention to the matter on its X page. A photo shared by the profile showed a massive picture of the president being installed next to one of former President Abraham Lincoln.

The banners went up at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a US federal government agency founded by Lincoln in 1862.

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"US government buildings now appear to be putting up giant banners of Donald Trump’s face, echoing authoritarian dictatorships," the picture was captioned.

Popular podcaster Fred Wellman weighed in on the installation, describing it as "deeply fascist." Replying to Wellman's post, Martina Navratilova, who is a staunch critic of the American president, observed:

"Fascist, communist- take your pick. It is a f&%#$&g dictatorship."

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Navratilova, who has over 450,000 followers on X, frequently voices her political opinions on the Elon Musk-owned platform.

Martina Navratilova is a Donald Trump critic and has labeled him a 'dictator'

Martina Navratilova at The Championships - Wimbledon 2024 - Source: Getty

Martina Navratilova has expressed strong opposition to US President Donald Trump's policies, particularly his stance on LGBTQ+ issues and abortion. She has also frequently labeled him a "dictator."

The tennis legend had supported Democrat Party's Kamala Harris in the last US Presidential election and reacted with dismay when Trump was elected for his second (non-consecutive) term.

Taking to X, she wrote in November 2024:

"Fear and anger won. And a country that was born as a racist patriarchy proved beyond any reasonable doubt it still is a racist patriarchy."

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Appearing on "The Late Late Show" in 2017, she described the Republican Party leader as a "threat to the world," stating:

"I think he is a threat to the world, not just our country. I'm trying to do my part, to figure out how to get involved, rather than just tweeting - that's not enough. I think he's sexist and racist, and all of those things."

However, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion does appear to side with Trump on his stance against allowing male-to-female transitioned athletes in women's sports.

Navratilova, who has asserted that women's sport is "not a place for failed male athletes," conceded that Trump was right in his decision to ban them from competing by virtue of a new executive order.

However, she has insisted in her X bio that she will continue to vote blue (Democrat), despite their stance on women’s sex-based spaces.

About the author

Pratap is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. With over five years of professional experience in diverse media roles and a Master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. Pratap has honed his skills in storytelling and reporting. He began his career in Northeast India, contributing to prominent platforms like The Sentinel, India Today NE, and EastMojo. Later, he transitioned to writing for RT’s international website, focusing on India-centric stories.

A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Pratap’s journey into tennis journalism stems from a deep-rooted love for the sport that began in his school days. At Sportskeeda, he channels this passion into covering tennis, offering readers a mix of match analysis, player profiles, and unique takes on the sport’s evolving dynamics.

Pratap stays updated by religiously watching Tennis TV highlights and tracking the latest developments on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). He values accuracy and ethics, relying on credible sources like BBC and The Guardian to ensure his content is both trustworthy and engaging.

Among his career highlights are interviews with local politicians, environmentalists, and athletes during his tenure with various media outlets. Now, writing about tennis is a milestone that aligns his professional expertise with his personal passion.

Pratap admires Novak Djokovic for his resilience and ability to thrive under pressure. His favorite event is Wimbledon, a tournament he reveres for its unmatched legacy and prestige. Off the court, he enjoys music, cinema, and reading, pursuits that enrich his perspective as a storyteller.

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Edited by Luke Koshi