BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — On Saturday night, President Donald Trump marked another return to the NCAA wrestling championships, a venue he’s previously visited, reflecting his interest in sports-related events during his early months in office. This second visit in three years took place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, with Trump arriving to enthusiastic cheers from the audience, acknowledging the crowd amid spirited chants of “U-S-A!” Throughout the evening, Trump observed the wrestling action closely, personally extending congratulations to several victors. As he exited the arena, he continued to engage with the public, shaking hands as he passed through a cheering crowd.
The president had arrived in Philadelphia after spending Friday night at his Bedminster, New Jersey, club, approximately 70 miles from the arena. This marked his first visit to the area in his second term. “We’re going to the big fight,” Trump mentioned to reporters before leaving the White House, expressing his long-standing support for wrestlers and acknowledging the talent of college athletes from various schools.
Trump was accompanied by advisor and billionaire Elon Musk, while Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin welcomed him at the Philadelphia airport. Also present at the arena were Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick, U.S. Representative Jim Jordan, Musk, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, all gathered in the same section.
Since his return to the White House, Trump’s travels have largely revolved around sporting events. He attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans and made an appearance at the Daytona 500 in Florida, where his motorcade took to the track. Prior to his presidency, as president-elect, he attended a UFC fight in New York. While these visits have predominantly centered around sports, Trump has also taken time to address more pressing matters. This included a tour of the damage from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and assessments of the wildfires in Los Angeles. During a January itinerary, he delivered a speech and walked the floor of Las Vegas’ Circa Resort & Casino before heading to Doral, Florida, for a Republican policy conference.
Trump’s association with sports stretches back years, contributing to his persona both publicly and politically, often attending such events to gauge the crowd’s response. Despite mixed receptions, Trump frequently highlights his efforts, like the executive order he signed to restrict transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, further rallying his core supporters.
Once an athlete himself, Trump played football at the New York Military Academy. He previously owned the United States Football League’s New Jersey Generals during the early 1980s but was unsuccessful in merging it with the NFL, leading to the USFL’s eventual collapse.
In an interview on Air Force One with “Outkick the Show” host Clay Travis, Trump commented on the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles’ scheduled White House visit, a makeup for their absence after the 2018 Super Bowl due to political tensions. Trump also mentioned plans to host the Kansas City Chiefs, making up for a missed visit after their 2020 Super Bowl victory, which the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted. The Chiefs’ earlier visit, hosted by President Joe Biden in 2023, was perceived as a similar compensatory gesture.
“COVID caused them to miss their turn,” Trump emphasized regarding the Chiefs. Though his weekends primarily include golfing at his Florida club, Mar-a-Lago, he occasionally remains in Washington for speeches or golfing.
During the wrestling championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a candidate in 2023, Trump delved into his administration’s recently released files on President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, admitting the documents lacked significant revelations. “The documents, it turns out, are somewhat unspectacular,” Trump remarked. “And perhaps that’s a positive outcome.”
