Donald Trump Booed at NFL Game Historic First Since 1978

In a rare and historic appearance, U.S. President Donald Trump attended Sunday’s NFL matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions, becoming the first sitting president to watch a regular-season game from the stands since Jimmy Carter in 1978. However, what began as a milestone moment quickly turned contentious as boos rang out across the stadium when Trump appeared on the videoboard.

The president, standing in a private suite alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson, was shown during the first half of the game. Loud jeers echoed through the crowd, intensifying when Trump was formally introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime. The reactions grew stronger as he led an oath for newly enlisted military members during a mid-game ceremony.

Despite the mixed response, Trump appeared unfazed, briefly interacting with the media upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews earlier in the evening. “We’re gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country’s doing well,” he said, adding a pointed comment about the ongoing government shutdown, saying “the Democrats have to open it up.”

Before his arrival, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated his touchdown with a playful nod to the viral “Trump dance” that several athletes popularized last year. “I heard Trump was going to be at the game, so I just decided to have some fun,” St. Brown said post-game.

While some spectators reacted negatively, others, including Lions quarterback Jared Goff, expressed fascination with the event. “Awesome that he was here,” Goff remarked after seeing Air Force One fly low over the stadium. Coach Dan Campbell added, “You’re talking about the president of the United States. That’s a big deal.”

During the third quarter, Trump joined Fox broadcasters Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma in the commentary box for a lighthearted segment about his high school football days. “I played tight end,” he joked. “It wasn’t quite football like this—it was a little easier.”

Trump departed before the game concluded, which ended in a 44–22 victory for the visiting Detroit Lions.

Only two other presidents — Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978 — have attended a regular-season NFL game while in office. Trump, however, also made history in February by becoming the first president to attend a Super Bowl while serving in the White House.

According to reports, Trump has expressed interest in having the Commanders’ planned $4 billion stadium in Washington named after him. During his televised segment, he confirmed his involvement in the stadium’s development process, saying, “They’re going to build a beautiful stadium. We’re getting all the approvals and everything else.”

The president’s presence at major sporting events has become increasingly frequent. Over the past year, he has appeared at the U.S. Open, Daytona 500, and the Ryder Cup, often emphasizing his admiration for sports as “a microcosm of life.”

Trump watched the game alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Senator Steve Daines of Montana.

The event also reignited memories of Trump’s earlier clashes with the NFL during his first term, when he criticized players for kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice. Despite past tensions, his latest NFL appearance underscored the complex intersection of politics, sports, and public opinion in modern America.