Donald Trump attended a regular-season NFL game on October 15, 2023, becoming the first sitting president in nearly fifty years to do so. The former president watched the Washington Commanders face off against the Detroit Lions at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. His attendance marked a significant moment in sports history, as only two other presidents have attended NFL games while in office: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978.
During the game, Trump was met with mixed reactions from the crowd. As he appeared on the videoboard late in the first half, some spectators responded with loud boos. This reaction was echoed again when he was introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime. Trump participated in an enlistment ceremony on the field, where he read an oath for military members.
Trump arrived at the stadium after landing at Joint Base Andrews, where he noted, “I’m a little bit late,” while stepping off Air Force One. His arrival coincided with a flyover of the stadium, which heightened the spectacle. Before taking his seat, Trump expressed optimism about the game, saying, “We’re gonna have a good game.”
In an entertaining moment, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown catch by mimicking the “Trump dance,” a popular gesture among athletes that emerged last year. Trump later joined Fox broadcasters Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for a brief chat during the third quarter. Reflecting on his own high school football experience at New York Military Academy, he remarked, “I played tight end, but it was not quite football like this. It was a little bit easier. It wasn’t so tough.”
Trump departed before the conclusion of the game, continuing a legacy of presidential involvement in sports. Notably, he was the first president to attend a Super Bowl while in office, witnessing the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2018.
Trump’s Aspirations for the Commanders
Reports indicate that Trump has expressed interest in having the Washington Commanders’ new stadium, part of a nearly $4 billion project at the RFK Stadium site, named after him. During his appearance, he discussed the team’s plans to return to Washington, stating, “They’re going to build a beautiful stadium. That’s what I’m involved in, we’re getting all the approvals and everything else.” He praised the team’s owner, Josh Harris, saying, “You have a wonderful owner and you’re going to see some very good things.”
Trump’s presence at the game is part of a broader trend of high-profile appearances at sporting events, which include the Ryder Cup, Daytona 500, and US Open. He expressed his passion for sports during the broadcast, describing them as a “microcosm of life,” encapsulating “the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
Before the game, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was seen conversing with Harris and took part in an on-field ceremony with military personnel. Hegseth, along with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana, joined Trump in the suite as they watched the game unfold.
This historic appearance not only highlights Trump’s ongoing engagement with American sports culture but also sparks discussions about the intersection of politics and sports in the current social landscape.
