President Donald Trump Attends Washington Commanders Game Amid Mixed Reactions
Trump's presence at the NFL game draws boos from some spectators, reflecting ongoing tensions between politics and sports.
LANDOVER, Md.: President Donald Trump made history as the first sitting president to attend a regular-season NFL game in nearly half a century when he visited the Washington Commanders' contest against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The event was marked by mixed reactions from the audience, with some spectators expressing disapproval by booing.
Trump was shown on the videoboard late in the first half, standing alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson in a suite.
Further jeers were directed at him when the stadium announcer introduced him at halftime.
The president's presence also prompted continued boos during an on-field ceremony where he read an oath for military members to recite.
Earlier, Trump had arrived at Joint Base Andrews after Air Force One performed a flyover of Northwest Stadium.
In his brief interaction with reporters, he expressed optimism about the game and the country's current state, while also referencing the need for Democrats to 'open up' regarding government operations.
The visit was not without controversy, as Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown mimicked the 'Trump dance' after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter, which some interpreted as a nod to the former president's influence on sports culture.
The White House confirmed that several cabinet secretaries and Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana were also in attendance.
Historically, only two other presidents have attended an NFL game during regular season while in office: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978.
Trump is the first president to attend a Super Bowl while residing in the White House, having watched the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LII in February.
ESPN reported that Trump has shown interest in having the Commanders' new stadium, part of a nearly $4 billion project in Washington D.C. at the site of RFK Stadium, bear his name.
This request aligns with his previous high-profile appearances at sporting events such as golf's Ryder Cup, auto racing's Daytona 500, and tennis' US Open.
The Commanders' organization expressed honor at Trump's presence, highlighting their commitment to recognizing the service of veterans and active-duty military through the NFL's Salute to Service initiative.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also participated in pre-game ceremonies, engaging with Commanders ownership and taking part in an on-field tribute to the military.
Tensions between Trump and the NFL during his first term were marked by his objections to players kneeling during the national anthem to protest social or racial injustices, a movement started by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016.
Trump advocated for players to stand for the anthem and called on team owners to discipline those who chose to kneel.
The event was marked by mixed reactions from the audience, with some spectators expressing disapproval by booing.
Trump was shown on the videoboard late in the first half, standing alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson in a suite.
Further jeers were directed at him when the stadium announcer introduced him at halftime.
The president's presence also prompted continued boos during an on-field ceremony where he read an oath for military members to recite.
Earlier, Trump had arrived at Joint Base Andrews after Air Force One performed a flyover of Northwest Stadium.
In his brief interaction with reporters, he expressed optimism about the game and the country's current state, while also referencing the need for Democrats to 'open up' regarding government operations.
The visit was not without controversy, as Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown mimicked the 'Trump dance' after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter, which some interpreted as a nod to the former president's influence on sports culture.
The White House confirmed that several cabinet secretaries and Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana were also in attendance.
Historically, only two other presidents have attended an NFL game during regular season while in office: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978.
Trump is the first president to attend a Super Bowl while residing in the White House, having watched the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LII in February.
ESPN reported that Trump has shown interest in having the Commanders' new stadium, part of a nearly $4 billion project in Washington D.C. at the site of RFK Stadium, bear his name.
This request aligns with his previous high-profile appearances at sporting events such as golf's Ryder Cup, auto racing's Daytona 500, and tennis' US Open.
The Commanders' organization expressed honor at Trump's presence, highlighting their commitment to recognizing the service of veterans and active-duty military through the NFL's Salute to Service initiative.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also participated in pre-game ceremonies, engaging with Commanders ownership and taking part in an on-field tribute to the military.
Tensions between Trump and the NFL during his first term were marked by his objections to players kneeling during the national anthem to protest social or racial injustices, a movement started by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016.
Trump advocated for players to stand for the anthem and called on team owners to discipline those who chose to kneel.
