Former U.S. President Donald Trump was met with a chorus of loud boos and scattered cheers while attending a Washington Commanders NFL game in Maryland on Sunday night. The divisive reception marked another chapter in Trump's history of polarizing appearances at major public events.
A Divided Crowd Reacts
During the first half of the game, the stadium's large screen displayed Trump and his entourage, prompting an immediate and vocal reaction from the crowd. Many attendees loudly booed the former president, while others responded with applause and cheers of apparent support. This mixed reception continued into halftime when Trump participated in a military enlistment ceremony.
As Trump addressed the crowd over the speaker system, the sound of boos at times seemed to overpower his voice. According to a pool report from The New York Post's Steve Nelson, some spectators made "thumbs down" gestures as Trump presided over the ceremony. One woman was even seen directing both middle fingers toward the president.
Historical Context and Previous Backlash
Trump's attendance made him the first sitting or former president to attend a regular-season NFL game since Jimmy Carter in 1978. He was accompanied by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This incident is not isolated; Trump faced similar crowd backlash when he attended the U.S. Open in September and the FIFA Club World Cup in July.
Prior to the game, Trump had publicly criticized the Commanders organization for not reverting to the team's former, and widely considered racist, name, the Washington Redskins.
Presidential Pomp and Future Ambitions
The event was not without its moments of spectacle. Before his arrival, Air Force One performed a flyover of the stadium, which Trump later touted on social media as "the greatest flyover ever." During the third quarter, the former president joined commentators in the Fox broadcast booth, where he discussed his high school football experience and praised certain players.
Looking to the future, an ESPN report indicates that Trump is reportedly eager for the Commanders' planned new stadium to be named after him, signaling a continued interest in leaving his mark on the sport.
