Donald Trump takes unprovoked jab at lowly Mets during Georgia rally: 'They lose all the time'

It's no secret the New York Mets have been one of the biggest letdowns in recent MLB history. Those disappointments have grown throughout the 2026 season, and even President Trump knows that.

At a rally in Marietta, Ga., alongside Atlanta Braves President and CEO Mike Plant and former team manager Brian Snitker on Wednesday, Trump shared that the New York franchise loses "all the time" and joked he wants Plant to work in Flushing. 

The jab gave the crowd a good laugh, and the president was met with applause. Across the country, one thing is for certain: the Mets' theatrics have become a universal joke.

Here's what the president said about one of the MLB's most disappointing teams this season.

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What did Donald Trump say about the Mets?

On Wednesday, during a rally in Georgia, President Trump told the world he loved baseball. Then, one of the most disappointing teams in the MLB became the subject of a joke: the Mets.

After giving Georgia's local MLB team, the Atlanta Braves, their props as a dominant team in the league, Trump contrasted them to the New York franchise. Here's a look at what the president said:

Trump introduces Mike Plant and Brian Snitker: "The Mets have the highest salary in baseball and they lose all the time. And I say, maybe we could steal this guy! But the way the Atlanta Braves have been managed for years -- he's the CEO of the Atlanta Braves." pic.twitter.com/n8zSTgghHL

"So, I like baseball,” Trump said, “but this guy (Braves President Mike Plant) has done such a great job. You know, the Mets have the highest salary in baseball, and they lose all the time. And I say, ‘Maybe we can steal this guy.’"

Trump continued, according to Fox Sports, saying, "There are teams like that, where they never go down. Then you have other teams — ‘We’re rebuilding.’ They’ve been rebuilding for years. I don’t want to mention teams ’cause I know all the owners. They’re all friends of mine.”

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Do the Mets actually have the highest payroll in MLB?

No, New York has the second-highest payroll in the MLB. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead all teams with an estimated $397 million in total payroll, according to FanGraphs. 

The Mets' tally sits at an estimated $366 million for the 2026 season, which is $58 million more than the team that has the third-highest in the league.

Top 5 MLB payrolls

According to FanGraphs, the Dodgers lead all teams with an estimated $397 million total payroll. Here's how the top five shape up in the MLB:

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Mets current record

As of July 23, the Mets have an abysmal 43-60 record.

The record ranks them in last place in the NL East and 17 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves (59-42), along with a mark of third-to-last in the National League. The team's .417 win percentage ranks tied for fourth-to-last in the entire MLB.

Which MLB team is Donald Trump a fan of?

While Trump's exact fandom isn't known, it is assumed that he is a New York Yankees fan. According to Fox Sports, Trump "has for years been closely associated with the New York Yankees." 

The president was also close friends with George Steinbrenner, who used to own the team.

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