President-elect Donald Trump attended the Army-Navy football game on Saturday, embracing the traditional college rivalry while showcasing key figures shaping his forthcoming administration. Trump was accompanied by Vice President-elect JD Vance, Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis—a potential backup for the defense secretary role—and other prominent figures during the historic 125th match between the military academies.
Also present was Daniel Penny, a military veteran recently acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in the controversial subway death of Jordan Neely. Vance, who invited Penny, criticized the prosecution’s attempt to “ruin” his life through the charges.
Arriving shortly before kickoff at Northwest Stadium, Trump was met with cheers and chants of “USA, USA!” from the crowd as he appeared on the stadium’s video screen alongside Vance and Elon Musk, who is slated to lead a proposed Department of Government Efficiency. Trump expressed gratitude to the audience, further energizing the patriotic atmosphere.
This marks Trump’s third attendance at an Army-Navy game as president-elect or president, continuing a tradition that reflects his increasing public engagements leading up to his January 20, 2025, inauguration. Earlier in the week, Trump rang the New York Stock Exchange’s opening bell with his family and Vance, following his recognition as Time magazine’s person of the year.
Behind the scenes, Trump remains focused on assembling his administration. His advisors are optimistic about Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary, despite controversies surrounding his personal conduct and opinions on women in combat roles. If the nomination faces challenges, DeSantis, a former Navy lawyer and one-time competitor for the Republican nomination, is positioned as an alternative candidate.
The day’s camaraderie extended to Hegseth, who joined other Army veterans, including Rep. Mike Waltz and Tulsi Gabbard—Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence—in declaring their support for the Army on social media. “We love our Navy, except today,” Waltz quipped, with Gabbard adding, “Go Army!”
Trump also interacted with military leaders, including Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown’s future under Trump’s administration appears uncertain, given his support for diversity initiatives that Trump and Hegseth have criticized as detrimental to the military’s effectiveness.
Meanwhile, Trump used the event to engage Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader-elect John Thune, and others, discussing potential strategies to advance his legislative agenda. Johnson emphasized plans to identify bills that could pass with a simple majority, despite Democratic resistance.
The event also highlighted ongoing societal debates, with Vance reiterating his support for Daniel Penny, framing his case as emblematic of broader issues concerning justice, mental health, and homelessness. “Daniel’s a good guy,” Vance wrote on social media. “I hope he enjoys the game and feels the respect of his fellow citizens.”
The game itself featured two strong teams: Army entered with an 11-1 record and a recent conference championship victory, while Navy concluded the season at 8-3, briefly ranked after a six-game winning streak.
