Donald Trump will be the first incumbent U.S. president to attend the Super Bowl, with plans to appear at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 9, 2025. The move has stirred controversy and initiated robust discussions. Mike Freeman, a USA Today columnist, criticized the decision, claiming Trump, whom he described as “the most divisive president of our lifetime,” could potentially tarnish the event and disrupt its traditional role as a unifying event for Americans.
Trump’s association with the NFL has been multifaceted, primarily due to his past disapproval of players who kneeled during the national anthem, which prompted some of his followers to boycott the league. His decision to attend the Super Bowl now has highlighted a change in his position.
The NFL has opted to replace its “End Racism” message in the end zones with “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us,” as part of its “Inspire Change” initiative. The league maintains that this change is in response to recent national incidents, including the terror attack in New Orleans and wildfires in Los Angeles. However, some suggest the move is linked to Trump’s expected presence at the game. The decision was communicated internally among top-level staff, with at least one official expressing disquiet about the timing in light of Trump’s contentious remarks on programs related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinforced the league’s commitment to diversity initiatives, highlighting their positive effect on the organization. He stressed that these efforts have brought about significant results and reflect the diverse nature of the league’s fan base, the communities it serves, and the players who constitute its teams.
Players from the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles have reacted to the news of Trump’s expected attendance. Eagles’ offensive lineman Jordan Mailata stated, “That’s cool, but Donald is not on that field,” while Chiefs’ linebacker Drue Tranquill remarked that having the president at the game would be “cool.”
With Trump’s historical attendance, unparalleled security measures will be implemented at the event, which is already classified as a National Special Security Event. Authorities have confirmed there are no credible threats to the event. In recent times, Trump has shown a growing interest in sports events, especially college football games.
Trump’s Super Bowl appearance will feature a pre-recorded interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier. This is the first time in three years a U.S. president has participated in a pregame Super Bowl interview.
Other high-profile attendees are expected at the event, including Taylor Swift, who will be supporting Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce. This could potentially set up a competition for television coverage with Trump. Louisiana Representative and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is also expected to attend the game with Trump at the Caesars Superdome.
Recently, Trump praised Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose wife has publicly supported Trump on social media. The game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will be Trump’s first Super Bowl attendance as president, despite his previous ties with professional football, including a failed attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills.
