Donald Trump’s return to the NFL spotlight comes with political overtones
Trump’s planned appearance at Sunday’s Commanders-Lions game continues his recent streak of high-profile sports cameos.
Donald Trump is taking his campaign energy back to the stands. During Friday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show, host Pat McAfee revealed that the president will attend Sunday’s game between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions, sitting in team owner Josh Harris’ box as part of the stadium’s Veterans Celebration.
#Commanders Team President Mark Clouse: “We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country. The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2025
The game, scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET at Northwest Stadium, will be Trump’s latest in a growing line of high-visibility sporting event appearances.
Trump’s ongoing love affair with sports crowds
Trump has made a point of showing up at major sporting events this year, a strategy that seems to blend his love of live competition with a desire to be seen by large, enthusiastic crowds.
In September, he attended the U.S. Open men’s final, watching Carlos Alcaraz face Jannik Sinner from a box seat as cameras caught him greeting fans. Weeks later, he appeared at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where the crowd gave him a standing ovation upon arrival. He was even in attendance at another Detroit game - MLB’s Tigers vs New York Yankees game on the 24th anniversary of 9/11.
President Donald Trump emerged to a mix of cheers and boos at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night, as he attended the New York Yankees game against the Detroit Tigers in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. pic.twitter.com/OxWb02CDds
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 12, 2025
These appearances in high-energy, patriotic settings have become a recurring part of Trump’s public calendar.
Sunday’s Commanders-Lions matchup fits the same mold: a Veterans Day weekend game in the nation’s capital, tied to a halftime salute to service members.
While Trump is expected to attend in a personal capacity, not an official campaign event, his presence at the NFL game comes as he increasingly mixes political messaging with cultural touchpoints.
For years, Trump has positioned himself as a defender of “traditional” American sports, especially football, and often references the NFL when discussing topics like patriotism, toughness, and national pride.
It will be interesting to see how fans at Northwest Stadium will receive Trump, especially after he referred to the team as the “Washington Whatevers” back in July. Either way, his attendance guarantees the Commanders-Lions game will have more than just football to talk about on Sunday.
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