Donald Trump became the first sitting president in nearly a half-century at a regular-season NFL game, attending the Washington Commanders’ contest against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
There were boos from large sections of fans in the stands – as well as scattered cheers – when Trump was shown on the videoboard late in the first half – standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson – and again when the president was introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime. The Washington DC area has strong Democrat support, while Trump’s cuts to the government have affected many workers in the vicinity of the Commanders’ stadium. Sunday was not the first time Trump has received a hostile reception from a Washington sports crowd: he was greeted with ‘lock him up’ chants at the Washington Nationals’ home stadium during the 2019 World Series.
The jeering continued while Trump read an oath for members of the military to recite as part of an on-field ceremony during the break in the game.
“I’m a little bit late,” Trump told reporters earlier when he got off Air Force One after landing at Joint Base Andrews, following a flyover of Northwest Stadium during the game. He then got in his armored car for the drive to the arena.
“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,” he said – a reference to the government shutdown.
In the first quarter Sunday, before the president arrived, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St Brown celebrated a touchdown catch by doing the “Trump dance”, which athletes started performing last year. Fox then gave the president nearly 10 minutes of airtime as he joined the broadcast booth, spoke about his football career in high football career and called some of the action in the third quarter. Asked how he thought the country was doing, the president answered somewhat dubiously that prices are going down for Americans. He also admitted he had not scored any touchdowns in high school, saying: “At least you realize I never tell a lie.”
Trump is just the third sitting president to attend an NFL game during the regular season, according to the league, after Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Trump became the first president at a Super Bowl while residing in the White House when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in February.
According to a report by ESPN on Saturday, an intermediary for the White House has told the Commanders’ ownership group that Trump wants the club’s new stadium – part of a nearly $4bn project in the nation’s capital at the site of what was known as RFK Stadium – to bear his name.
“They’re going to build a beautiful stadium. That’s what I’m involved in, we’re getting all the approvals and everything else,” Trump said during his Fox appearance. “And you have a wonderful owner, Josh [Harris] and his group. And you’re going to see some very good things.”
Sunday’s visit was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances at sporting events by Trump, including golf’s Ryder Cup, auto racing’s Daytona 500 and tennis’ US Open.
“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country,” Commanders president Mark Clouse said. “The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.”
Trump was presumably unimpressed with the Commanders’ performance as they went down to a 44-22 defeat – he left the game early.
