Trump booed at Commanders NFL game before calling plays from Fox broadcast booth | NFL
Donald Trump became the first sitting president in nearly half a century at an NFL regular-season game, participating in the Washington Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
There were boos from large swathes of fans in the stands — as well as scattered cheers — when Trump was shown on the video board at the end of the first half — standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson — and again when the president was introduced by the stadium commentator at halftime. The Washington, D.C. area enjoys strong Democratic support, while Trump’s government cuts have affected many workers near Commanders Stadium. Sunday wasn’t the first time Trump received a hostile reception from a Washington sports audience: He was greeted with “lock him up” chants at Washington Nationals Stadium during the 2019 World Series.
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The taunting continued as Trump read an oath for members of the military to recite as part of an on-field ceremony during the game break.
“I’m a little late,” Trump told reporters earlier as he stepped off Air Force One after landing at Joint Base Andrews, having flown over Northwest Stadium during the game. He then got into his armored car to go to the arena.
“We’re going to have a good game. Things are going great. The country is doing great. The Democrats need to open it up,” he said — referring to the government shutdown.
In the first quarter Sunday, before the president arrived, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown by performing the “Trump dance,” which athletes began performing last year. Fox then gave the president nearly 10 minutes of air time as he joined the broadcast booth, talked about his high-profile football career and called some of the third-quarter action. When asked how he thought the country was doing, the president responded somewhat skeptically that prices were falling for Americans. He also admitted that he didn’t score any touchdowns in high school, stating, “At least you realize I never lie.” »
Trump is only 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 to a Super Bowl while residing at the White House when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in February.
According to an ESPN report Saturday, a White House intermediary told the Commanders ownership group that Trump wants the club’s new stadium — part of a nearly $4 billion project in the nation’s capital on 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 appearance on Fox. “And you have a wonderful owner, Josh [Harris] and his group. And you’re going to see some really good things.
Sunday’s visit was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances by Trump at sporting events, including golf’s Ryder Cup, auto racing’s Daytona 500 and tennis’ U.S. 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 military personnel and their families this Sunday.”
Trump probably wasn’t impressed with the Commanders’ performance as they lost 44-22 – he left the game early.
