• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Donald Trump Heading to Super Bowl LIX in Presidential First

Trump, the first sitting president at a Super Bowl, will be a guest of Saints owner Gayle Benson.

Donald Trump
David Yeazell-Imagn Images

Donald Trump will become the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Super Bowl on Sunday in New Orleans as a guest of Saints owner Gayle Benson.

Trump is a regular attendee at college football games, including an appearance this fall at Alabama vs. Georgia. But he had a tumultuous relationship with the NFL in his first term. He criticized the league, its players, and commissioner Roger Goodell in 2016 and years into his first administration as players kneeling during the national anthem roiled the league; in 2018, he suggested that players who kneel should leave the country.

There are too many people involved in a football team for it to be a neat party-line split, but there is a clear trend in this Super Bowl.

The wife of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Tavia, has expressed support for Trump and Vice President JD Vance on social media in the past. Kicker Harrison Butker endorsed the president in October. The president has expressed support for Brittany Mahomes, the wife of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and the QB’s mother, Randi, wore a “Make America Great Again” hat to a game in November ahead of the election. (Brittany came under fire for liking a post about Trump on social media, after which the presidential nominee said he prefers Mahomes to her friend, superstar Taylor Swift, who had recently endorsed Kamala Harris.)

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has primarily donated to Democrats and criticized Trump in the past. When the team won the Super Bowl in 2018, a large group of players did not want to attend—then Trump uninvited them from the White House. The Eagles didn’t endorse Harris in the presidential election despite an ad falsely suggesting otherwise, but running back Saquon Barkley played golf with Barack Obama and Lurie shortly before the election.

As of Oct. 17, neither owner had donated to a presidential campaign. Tavia Hunt donated $50,000 to the Trump 47 Committee in September, in addition to other Trump-related PACs, federal election records show.

Trump will also sit with Bret Baier of Fox News for a taped interview that will air during the pregame show. It’s presidential tradition to meet with the network airing the Super Bowl ahead of the Big Game, but Trump and Joe Biden have been inconsistent with their appearances over the last eight years.

The biggest impact of Trump’s attendance may be increased security. New Orleans isn’t new to hosting big events, but it is on the heels of a deadly terrorist attack before the Sugar Bowl last month. And on top of the thousands of fans descending on the city, the world’s biggest pop star in Swift will be in attendance.

Security has already been a big focal point in the Big Easy this week, from bag checks at the French Quarter to involvement from the federal government. The superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department said Monday the city will be “a sea of blue.” Enter a man who has already survived one assassination attempt in the past year, and those efforts will likely get even more intense.

“Extensive planning and coordination have been in place to ensure the safety of all attendees, players, and staff,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. “Security measures have been further enhanced this year, given that this will be the first time a sitting President of the United States will attend the event.”

Trump is set to attend the game with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R., La.), a graduate of LSU.

George H. W. Bush performed the Super Bowl coin toss twice, both times after leaving office. Ronald Reagan also did the coin toss virtually in 1985 from the Oval Office.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.

CFB TV Ratings Stay Hot As Georgia-Tennessee Sets ABC High of 12.6M

ABC has had four games that have topped 10 million viewers this season.
Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor Talks About ‘Moving Differently’ in ESPN-NBC Jump

Taylor will be NBC Sports’ lead NBA and WNBA studio host.
Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Brad Tavares (red gloves) fights Robert Bryczek (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena.

TKO President Mark Shapiro Pops Talk of Valuation Bubble, Defends UFC Deal

“Sports is the last bastion of unifying content in this world.”

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Adam Silver Walks Back Claim He’d Never Heard of Aspiration

Adam Silver spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.
September 15, 2025

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Sep 14, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) kicks the ball past Chicago Stars FC defender Sam Staab (3) during the second half of a match at SeatGeek Stadium.
September 16, 2025

NWSL Beefs Up Media Deal With More CBS, ESPN, Adds Victory+

The NWSL has been locked into its existing deal since last year.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 15, 2025

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.