NEW ORLEANS — Donald Trump, former president and notable figure in American sports history, attended the Super Bowl on Sunday, marking a significant moment as he became the first sitting president to do so. Having played high school football and owned a team in a league that sought to rival the NFL, Trump’s complex relationship with the sport has evolved over the years, most recently colored by his commentary during his presidency regarding athletes who protested during the national anthem.
Upon arriving in New Orleans from Florida, Trump greeted participants involved in the ceremonial coin toss at the Caesars Superdome. This included families of victims from a tragic New Year’s Day terrorist incident in the French Quarter, as well as first responders and police officers. His attendance coincided with a notable change from the NFL, which had decided to eliminate the “End Racism” slogans that had been visible in the end zones since 2021.
This decision has led to speculation that it may be a reaction to Trump’s recent cancellation of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government. However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clarified that the league’s policies addressing diversity do not conflict with Trump’s administration’s efforts to revoke such initiatives. Trump, who has expressed his support for the Kansas City Chiefs—crediting quarterback Patrick Mahomes as a key player—hinted at his endorsement for the team in a pregame interview with Fox News.
Having attended the Super Bowl previously in 1992, Trump referred to Mahomes’ impressive winning record and praised his skills on the field. With a strong background in football from his youth, Trump’s business ventures in the early 1980s led him to purchase the New Jersey Generals in the defunct United States Football League (USFL), which he controversially attempted to merge with the NFL.
Throughout his presidency, Trump was critical of NFL players demonstrating during the national anthem, an action that gained prominence when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first knelt to protest social injustice in 2016. Trump’s public statements during that period emphasized his expectation that players should stand for the anthem, urging NFL owners to take action against those who did not comply.
On the day of the Super Bowl, Trump watched the game from a suite alongside several Republican allies including Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. He saluted during the national anthem and was visited by members of Mahomes’ family, highlighting his ongoing connection to the sport.
Beyond football, Trump’s sports enthusiasm encompasses a wide range, from his avid golf pursuits—owning multiple courses and hosting tournaments—to his involvement in boxing events at his Atlantic City casinos, and attending various UFC matches. As reported by the White House, he played golf with Tiger Woods earlier that day.
Some NFL owners have contributed to Trump’s campaigns, and he continues to maintain close connections with sports figures like Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie, both of whom played for the Generals. Trump endorsed Walker’s recent Senate campaign in Georgia, and has suggested appointing him as an ambassador.
Leading up to the Super Bowl, Trump signed an executive order aimed at banning transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports, targeting federal funding for schools that do not adhere to this guideline. In a statement about the game, he emphasized the athletes’ representation of young Americans’ aspirations, advocating for safety and fairness in sports.
Critics, including Alv??n Tillery, a political expert at Northwestern University, lamented the NFL’s removal of the “End Racism” slogans, labeling it as “shameful” given the league’s substantial profits generated largely through the contributions of Black athletes. Tillery questioned the motivations behind the league’s decision, viewing it as a potential concession to Trump’s presence at the Super Bowl. The NFL has countered this narrative by emphasizing a positive message with the phrase “Choose Love” in one of the end zones, aimed at fostering unity in light of recent tragedies, including the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans. However, skeptics like Tillery remain unconvinced, suggesting that the shift was directly influenced by Trump’s attendance.
