Categories: Super Bowl

Too boring? Real reason why Trump left Super Bowl early

President Donald Trump, center, listens as Jon Batiste performs the national anthem at the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Donald Trump made history as the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl but left before the fourth quarter, sparking speculation.

Some believed he exited early due to the Kansas City Chiefs’ disappointing performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Security and Logistical Concerns

White House officials confirmed Trump’s early departure was planned in advance. His official schedule had him leaving around 8:05 p.m. Central Time. Security experts noted that a later exit alongside 80,000 fans would have been a logistical nightmare.

Lara Trump, from left, New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson, President Donald Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and Ivanka Trump’s son Theodore watch from a suite prior to the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Social Media Reactions

Critics accused Trump of wasting taxpayer money on his appearance, with some estimating the cost at up to $20 million. Others took issue with his early exit, questioning why he attended if he wasn’t staying for the full game.

Trump’s Super Bowl Predictions

Before the game, Trump predicted a Chiefs victory, praising quarterback Patrick Mahomes and calling his wife, Brittany Mahomes, a “mega-Trump fan.” Despite the president’s support, the Chiefs suffered a crushing loss to the Eagles.

VIP Viewing Experience

Trump watched the game from a private suite alongside New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson, his daughter Ivanka Trump, and several Republican lawmakers. He also met with first responders from the January 1 Bourbon Street terrorist attack before kickoff.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.