Martina Navratilova trolls Donald Trump voters as reports emerge of Pittsburgh steelworkers being unhappy over his opposition to US Steel-Nippon deal

Tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova has suggested that those who voted for Donald Trump in last month's presidential election may come to rue their decision as the President-elect has opposed Japanese firm Nippon's $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel. Trump, who won the US presidential race, has repeatedly vowed to protect domestic industries and increase tariffs on foreign manufactured goods.

"I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan," Trump recently wrote on his platform Truth Social, reiterating his campaign promise to block the deal.

The acquisition has reportedly proved to be popular in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where U.S. Steel employs over 3,500 people as Nippon has pledged to inject $2.7 billion into unionized facilities.

Martina Navratilova, who often engages in political commentary on X, replied to a post by an individual named Christopher Webb, where he highlighted that the steel workers, considered to be heavily pro-Trump, are unhappy with the President-elect's move.

"There is gonna be a lot of oops’s from the trump voters," Navratilova underlined.

“I am very frustrated with the news that came out last night. I didn’t expect that to come out,” United Steelworkers’ Vice President Jason Jugai said in a video clipping from Pittsburgh's Action News 4 channel that Webb had shared. “So that was like a gut punch.”

Meanwhile, Nippon's leadership has asserted its commitment to closing the deal, announced last year.

"We will not give up on the deal," Nippon Steel Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori remarked (via Reuters) after a recent visit to the US. There is no global strategy without the U.S."

How Martina Navratilova feels about Donald Trump

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been vocal regarding her distaste for US President-elect Donald Trump - Source: Getty

Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, has been quite vocal in her opposition to Trump and endorsed Democrat candidate Kamala Harris for President.

Posting on X, Navratilova had suggested that she could never vote for Republicans as she sees them as "sycophants and toxic men."

She also took offense to Trump's controversial Thanksgiving message, in which he labelled those opposing him as "Radical Left Lunatics," adding that they wanted to destroy America.

"Really hard to explain this divisive nonsense," the tennis legend wrote in a reply to Trump. "You are an embarrassment to the whole world."

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Navratilova has also expressed dismay over a number of cabinet appointments made by Trump since being elected US president.

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 Tushar Bahl