A revealing scene from the "Melania" documentary film has brought to light former President Donald Trump's frustration over a scheduling conflict that pitted his inauguration against the College Football Playoff National Championship. According to the footage, which gained attention after being highlighted by sports site Awful Announcing and circulated on social media, Trump expressed bewilderment at the overlap during planning sessions with the first lady.
Trump's Complaints Over Headline Competition
In the documentary clip, Trump is seen reviewing inauguration plans when he pauses to remark on the championship game, set for January 20, 2025. "We are competing with the championship game. How did that happen?" he asked, highlighting his concern over sharing the spotlight. This incident occurred in an interview where Trump also claimed to have "a lot of good friends" in college football, despite fumbling questions about the sport.
Historical Context of the Scheduling Conflict
The title game, traditionally held on a Monday night in early to mid-January, coincidentally fell on the same day Trump was scheduled to take the oath of office. The date had been announced back in May 2023, a period when Trump was leading a crowded field of GOP candidates and over a year before the Republican Party officially selected him as their nominee. Trump contended that presidents "always had" Inauguration Day for "hundreds of years," but an aide off-camera informed him they were unsure why the game was scheduled that night.
Note: Historically, inaugurations were not always in January. In 1937, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to be sworn in during January following the ratification of the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Prior to that, inaugurations were typically held in March, with George Washington's 1789 swearing-in being a notable exception.
Trump's Suspicion of Intentional Timing
As Trump and the first lady continued to discuss the day's schedule, he expressed his frustration to the aide. "So they put a game—" he began, to which the aide replied, "We're working extremely closely with the networks." Trump pressed further, asking, "I know, but why did they have to put the national championship at the same time?" The aide responded with "Unclear," leading Trump to conclude, "They probably did it on purpose."
Aftermath and Public Appearances
Despite the scheduling clash, Trump later participated in public events related to college football. In April 2025, he was photographed carrying an Ohio State football helmet during a ceremony for the national champion Buckeyes on the South Lawn of the White House, with Vice President JD Vance following him. This event underscored his ongoing, albeit sometimes awkward, connection to the sport.
The documentary scene not only sheds light on Trump's preoccupation with media attention but also highlights the intricate planning and unexpected challenges that can arise during presidential transitions, especially when intersecting with major cultural events like sports championships.
