President Donald Trump booed at Washington Commanders NFL game amid interest over new stadium being named after him

President Donald Trump was booed while attending Sunday’s NFL game between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions; Trump is the first sitting President to attend a regular-season NFL game since 1978

 

 

Donald Trump became the first sitting president in nearly a half-century to attend a regular-season NFL game as he watched the Washington Commanders’ 44-22 loss to the visiting Detroit Lions on Sunday.

There were loud boos from some spectators in the stands when Trump was shown on the videoboard late in the first half – standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson – and again when the president was introduced by the stadium announcer at half-time.

The jeering continued while Trump read an oath for members of the military to recite as part of an on-field enlistment ceremony during the break in the game.

“I’m a little bit late,” Trump told reporters earlier when he got off Air Force One after landing at Joint Base Andrews, following a flyover of Northwest Stadium during the game. He then got in his armoured car for the drive to the arena.

 

 

“We’re going to have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country’s doing well. The Democrats have to open it up,” he said in reference to the government shutdown.

In the first quarter, before the president arrived, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St Brown celebrated a touchdown catch by pointing into the stands and moving his arms a la the “Trump dance” that several athletes began doing last year.

“I heard Trump was going to be at the game,” St Brown said afterwards. “I don’t know how many times the president’s going to be at the game, so just decided to have some fun.”

Sunday’s visit was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances at sporting events by Trump, including golf’s Ryder Cup, auto racing’s Daytona 500 and tennis’ US Open.

“I just love it. It’s a microcosm of life,” Trump said about sports during Sunday’s broadcast. “It’s sort of like life – the good, the bad and the ugly.”

Before the game, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth chatted with Harris – the leader of the group that purchased the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for about $6bn in 2023 – and took part in an on-field ceremony with members of the military.

Hegseth was among those watching the game with Trump, along with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana.

 

 

There was friction between Trump and the NFL during his first presidential term, when he objected to players kneeling during the national anthem to protest social or racial injustice. That movement began in 2016 with then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Via social media and other public comments, Trump insisted that players should stand for the national anthem and called on team owners to fire anyone taking a knee.