President Donald Trump said he told the New York Giants not to let Saquon Barkley walk away in free agency during the Super Bowl celebration for the running back’s new team at the White House Monday.
The Giants deny any such conversations took place.
During his wide ranging speech that included mentions of Taylor Swift and the tush push, Trump discussed the biggest offseason signing of last year: Barkley, the longtime Giant, heading to Philadelphia.
“I was with the Giants and the head coach and some people and I said, ‘Do anything you have to, but don’t lose Saquon.’” Trump said of Barkley, who he called “a handsome guy.”
“They lost Saquon. That was not good. I called that one. That was an easy one to call because he played damn well for the Giants, I can tell you that,” the president said.
Giants spokesperson Pat Hanlon tells Front Office Sports “there were no conversations” between Trump and the Giants about Barkley.
FOS had asked if the Giants could confirm any conversations or if the team had a comment, Hanlon responded “No,” then directed to his personal Twitter account.
“With all due respect, stop yapping. Be the leader we all want you to be. And my 401K wants you to be. I’m trying to retire!!” Hanlon had posted, tagging Trump.
The spokesman then clarified that there had been no discussions between Trump and the team.
In the lead up to the ceremony, Barkley faced backlash on social media for golfing with Trump. “lol some people are really upset cause I played golfed and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT. Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand,” Barkley posted Monday morning. He also mentioned his recent round of golf with former president Barack Obama, which he played alongside Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and team owner Jeffrey Lurie.
Hurts was among dozens of Philadelphia players who did not attend Monday’s ceremony. Lurie—who had said the White House event was “optional” for his players and coaches—did attend, as did head coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
