Donald Trump became the first sitting president in nearly half a century to attend an NFL regular-season game when he attended the Washington Commanders' game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
There were screams from large groups of fans in the stands, as well as scattered applause when the video board showed Trump standing in his suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson at the end of the first half, and again when the stadium announcer introduced the president at halftime. The Washington, D.C. area enjoys strong Democratic support, while Trump's government spending cuts have affected many workers in the Commanders Stadium area. Sunday was not the first time Trump received hostility from Washington sports circles: he was greeted with chants of “lock him up!” at the home stadium of the Washington Nationals during the 2019 World Series.
The taunts continued as Trump read the oath that service members were expected to recite in an on-field ceremony during halftime of the game.
“I'm a little late,” Trump told reporters earlier as he stepped off Air Force One after landing at Joint Base Andrews after flying over Northwestern Stadium during the game. Then he got into his armored car and drove to the arena.
“We're going to have a good game. Things are going very well. The country is doing well. Democrats need to open it up,” he said, referring to the government shutdown.
In the first quarter Sunday, before the president arrived, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated his touchdown catch by doing the “Trump Dance.” which athletes started competing last year. Fox then gave the President nearly 10 minutes of air time as he joined the broadcast booth, talked about his high-level football career and called out some of the action in the third quarter. When asked how he thought the country was doing, the president replied: somewhat doubtful that prices for Americans are falling. He also admitted that he never scored a touchdown in high school, saying, “At least you know I never lie.”
Trump is only the third sitting president to attend an NFL game during the regular season, following Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978, according to the league. Trump became the first president to attend the Super Bowl while living in the White House. when he looked In February, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to an ESPN report on Saturday, a White House negotiator told the Commanders' ownership group that Trump wants to build the club's new stadium – part of a nearly $4 billion project in the nation's capital on the site of so-called RFK Stadium – bear his name.
“It would certainly be a nice name,” said spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt.
Sunday's visit was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances by Trump at sporting events, including Ryder Cup GolfDaytona 500 from auto racing and tennis, US Open.
“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we honor those who have served and continue to serve our country,” said Commanders President Mark Clouse. “The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL's Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation's veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families this Sunday.”
Before the game, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke with team principal owner Josh Harris and participated in an on-field ceremony with military personnel.
