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President Trump Makes Rare NFL Appearance Amid Mixed Reception at Commanders Game
President Donald Trump attended Sunday’s Washington Commanders game against the Detroit Lions, marking the first time in nearly five decades that a sitting president has appeared at a regular-season NFL contest.
Trump’s arrival at Northwest Stadium came after a flyover aboard Air Force One. Upon his entrance to a luxury suite alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson, the president received a noticeably mixed reception from the crowd. When shown on the stadium’s videoboard late in the first half, and again during a halftime military enlistment ceremony, significant booing could be heard throughout the venue.
The jeers continued as Trump read an oath for military members participating in an on-field ceremony during halftime. The response highlighted the polarizing nature of the president’s appearance at the sporting event.
Before arriving at the stadium, Trump briefly addressed reporters at Joint Base Andrews, commenting on his tardiness and the ongoing government shutdown. “I’m a little bit late,” he said. “We’re gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country’s doing well. The Democrats have to open it up.”
During the third quarter, Trump joined Fox broadcasters Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for an eight-minute conversation that touched on his high school football experience. “I played tight end, but it was not quite football like this. It was a little bit easier. It wasn’t so tough,” Trump remarked during the broadcast. He departed before the game’s conclusion.
Presidential appearances at NFL regular season games are exceedingly rare. According to league records, only Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978 had previously attended such events while in office. Trump did become the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl when he watched the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers in February.
The visit comes amid reports that Trump has expressed interest in having the Commanders’ planned new stadium bear his name. ESPN reported Saturday that an intermediary for the White House conveyed this desire to the team’s ownership group. The nearly $4 billion project is slated for the site of the former RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
During his broadcast appearance, Trump referenced these stadium plans: “They’re going to build a beautiful stadium. That’s what I’m involved in, we’re getting all the approvals and everything else. And you have a wonderful owner, Josh (Harris) and his group. And you’re going to see some very good things.”
Sunday’s NFL appearance continues Trump’s recent pattern of attending high-profile sporting events, including golf’s Ryder Cup, the Daytona 500, and the U.S. Open tennis championships. When asked about his affinity for sports during the broadcast, Trump responded philosophically: “I just love it. It’s a microcosm of life. It’s sort of like life — the good, the bad and the ugly.”
The president watched the game alongside several administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana. Before kickoff, Hegseth met with Commanders owner Josh Harris, who led the group that purchased the team from Daniel Snyder for approximately $6 billion in 2023.
Trump’s relationship with the NFL has been complicated by past tensions. During his first term, he vocally criticized players who knelt during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice—a movement initiated by then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016. Trump frequently called for team owners to fire players who participated in such protests.
On the field, the game featured a notable moment when Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a first-quarter touchdown by mimicking what has become known as the “Trump dance,” a move that several athletes began incorporating into their celebrations last year.
The presidential visit underscores the intersection of sports, politics, and business interests that often converge in Washington, particularly as the Commanders organization works toward establishing its future in the nation’s capital.
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12 Comments
The booing is a sign of the deep political divisions in the US. While I don’t agree with the president on many issues, I think it’s valuable for the public to see how he is received in different settings.
Do you think this will influence the president’s future engagement with professional sports leagues and events?
It’s unfortunate that the president’s appearance at the NFL game became so politicized. Regardless of one’s political views, it’s important for the public to see how the leader of the country is received in various settings.
I wonder if this incident will lead to any changes in how the president engages with professional sports moving forward.
Love or hate the president, I think it’s important for the leader of the country to engage with citizens, even in partisan settings. Seeing how the crowd reacted is an interesting data point.
Curious to hear your thoughts on whether this will impact the president’s relationship with the NFL and professional sports more broadly.
The mixed reaction to the president’s appearance highlights the broader political tensions in the country. While I may not agree with his policies, I think it’s valuable for the public to see how the leader of the nation is received in different contexts.
Do you think this incident will have any lasting impact on the relationship between the president and the NFL, or professional sports more generally?
Interesting to see how the president’s appearance at an NFL game was received. Sounds like a mixed reaction from the crowd, which isn’t too surprising given the polarization in the country these days.
I wonder if this will impact his relationship with the NFL going forward. Seems like a tricky situation to navigate.
The booing highlights the political divisions in the country. It’s a shame when sporting events become so politicized. Hopefully the game itself provided some entertainment and respite from the divisiveness.
I agree, sports should be a unifying force, not a political battleground. This incident is a reflection of the broader challenges facing the nation.