Donald Trump is set to become the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Super Bowl. He will be present at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 9, 2025. This decision has triggered widespread debate and criticism. Mike Freeman, a columnist for USA Today, described Trump as “the most divisive president of our lifetime,” suggesting his presence may tarnish the event and hinder its customary role as a unifying moment for Americans.
Trump’s connection with the NFL has been multifaceted, notably due to his past criticism of players who knelt during the national anthem. This led many of his supporters to boycott the NFL. His decision to attend the Super Bowl has put this change in attitude into the spotlight.
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 the “Inspire Change” initiative. The league states this change is a response to recent national catastrophes, including the terror attack in New Orleans and wildfires in Los Angeles. However, some have associated it with Trump’s expected attendance. The decision was communicated internally among senior staff, with at least one official voicing apprehension about the timing given Trump’s contentious remarks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, has underscored the league’s sustained dedication to diversity initiatives. He emphasized their beneficial impact on the league, pointing out that these efforts have produced substantial results and mirror the varied and diverse demographic of the league’s audience, the communities it serves, and the players who form its teams.
News of Trump’s attendance has elicited reactions from the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles players. Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata said, “That’s cool, but Donald is not on that field,” while Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill remarked that it would be “cool to have the president at the game.”
The president’s historic visit will necessitate extraordinary security measures for the event, which is already classified as a National Special Security Event. Officials have confirmed that there are no credible threats to the event. In recent times, Trump has displayed a growing interest in sports events, particularly college football games.
Trump’s Super Bowl appearance will feature a pre-recorded interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier. This signifies the first time a U.S. president has taken part in a pregame Super Bowl interview in three years.
The event is also set to attract other notable attendees, including Taylor Swift, who will be supporting Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. This could lead to a competition for television coverage between Trump and Swift. Louisiana Representative and House Speaker Mike Johnson is also planning to attend the game with Trump at the Caesars Superdome.
Trump has recently expressed admiration for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose wife has defended Trump publicly on social media. The game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will mark Trump’s inaugural Super Bowl attendance as president, notwithstanding his past ties with professional football, including his failed attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills.
