President-elect Donald Trump attended the Army-Navy football game on Saturday, joined by notable figures including Elon Musk, key Cabinet nominees, and political allies. The event, held at Northwest Stadium near Washington, D.C., drew high-profile attendees from across the political spectrum.
Trump’s entourage included Tulsi Gabbard, his nominee for director of national intelligence; defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth; and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Vice President-elect JD Vance and Sen.-elect David McCormick of Pennsylvania, a former Bridgewater Associates CEO, also accompanied Trump. In the crowd was Democratic Maryland Governor Wes Moore, an Army veteran, though not part of Trump’s group.
A Storied Tradition
Before the game, Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing excitement for the historic rivalry between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen, saying he was attending “to root on these fantastic young men.” Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined Trump in his box, according to aide Margo Martin. Trump has attended the Army-Navy game multiple times, continuing a tradition started by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901.
Controversial Guest
Ohio Senator JD Vance invited Daniel Penny, a former Marine recently acquitted of homicide charges in New York, to watch the game. Penny gained attention for his role in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a Black subway passenger dealing with mental illness. Penny argued he acted in self-defense, and his acquittal was widely celebrated in conservative circles. Vance praised Penny on X, describing him as courageous and criticizing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for prosecuting him.
Bragg, known for leading the case that resulted in Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, is currently facing efforts by Trump’s legal team to dismiss the charges following the latter’s electoral victory.
Notable Attendees
Trump’s appearance alongside high-profile figures like Musk and Gabbard highlights the symbolic importance of the Army-Navy game as a platform for political and cultural dialogue.
