Hillary Clinton's Rare Appearance at WNBA Game Slammed as Critics Say Ex-First Lady Is 'Starving for Attention'
Hillary Clinton attended a basketball game.
Aug. 6 2026, Published 2:20 p.m. ET
Hillary Clinton was spotted at a WNBA game in a rare appearance, RadarOnline.com can reveal, which has led critics to accuse the former Secretary of State of "starving for attention."
The 78-year-old sat courtside at the New York Liberty's game against the Seattle Storm on Wednesday, August 5, as she waved to the crowd.
Hillary Clinton's WNBA Appearance Backfires
Hillary Clinton received criticism as her appearance was called a 'photo op.'
"Nothing more than a photo op; she hates having to mix with the unclean masses," an X user claimed, as another branded Clinton a "phony."
Responding to Clinton's excited welcome of the applause, a person wrote, "Imagine going to a sporting event and needing such a narcissistic fix."
"Unbridled ego from the get-go of her career," added another commentator.
Transgender Debate Looms Over WNBA
WNBA players have been debating transgender athletes.
Clinton's appearance at the WNBA game comes as the transgender athlete debate continues to sweep through the league, as some have questioned whether Clinton's appearance revealed her take on the matter.
Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham lit up the debate after sharing her opinion that trans women should be restricted from women's sports.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans," she said, according to ESPN. "And I'm like, 'I never once said that.'"
Cunningham added, "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men."
However, the debate attracted national attention.
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans kids belong" shirt to a game against the Fever. After Reeve and Cunningham clashed mid-court before the game, the coach said, "Both of us understand that we have platforms and we both talked about wanting to, more than anything, educate.
"There are some things that we have in common, and maybe some things you differ on, just like any issues. I think it’s how you handle things. It was nice to be in person, for sure."
Hillary Clinton Supports Trans Community
Clinton historically supported the trans community, but offered a sympathetic ear to naysayers.
While stars like Caitlin Clark have opted out of the conversation, stressing that it's up to the league to decide, the WNBA has remained vague. The league's eligibility rules in the collective bargaining agreement specify "only players who are women are eligible." It makes no distinction between transgender or cisgender individuals.
Clinton hasn't been quiet about her opinion on trans rights, supporting more progressive policies. "Our fight for equality must continue to ensure transgender people are treated with equal rights and dignity," she wrote on X in January 2016.
In 2019, Clinton weighed in on the trans athlete debate more pointedly, though. Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, said she supported trans athletes, while the former first lady was more hesitant.
"I think you've got to be sensitive to how difficult this is," Clinton said in an interview with the Sunday Times of London. "There are women who'd say (to a trans woman), ‘You know what, you've never had the kind of life experiences that I've had. So I respect who you are, but don't tell me you're the same as me.' I hear that conversation all the time."
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The WNBA fanbase typically skews liberal.
Clinton's appearance at the WNBA game in the midst of the fiery debate attracted critics and trolls. "I wonder if she knows what the W stands for in the WNBA," said one person.
Another added, "Of course she gets cheered at the most liberal transgender professional sport league in existence..." Many assumed her attendance was a political move and cultural flag.
"Well, good for her. Politically expedient, probably put a hit out on Sophie Cunningham," a user noted.
A second said, "Just in case you had ANY doubt where the WNBA stands."
