Trump booed at Commanders-Lions regular-season sport in DC – NBC Boston

President Donald Trump turned the primary sitting president in practically a half-century at a regular-season NFL sport, attending the Washington Commanders‘ contest towards the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

There have been boos from some spectators within the stands when Trump was proven on the videoboard late within the first half — standing in a collection with Home Speaker Mike Johnson — and once more when the president was launched by the stadium announcer at halftime.

The jeering continued whereas Trump learn an oath for members of the navy to recite as a part of an on-field ceremony in the course of the break within the sport.

“I’m just a little bit late,” Trump informed reporters earlier when he received off Air Power One after touchdown at Joint Base Andrews, following a flyover of Northwest Stadium in the course of the sport. He then received in his armored automobile for the drive to the sector.

“We’re gonna have a great sport. Issues are going alongside very properly. The nation’s doing properly. The Democrats should open it up,” he stated — a reference to the federal government shutdown.

Within the first quarter Sunday, earlier than the president arrived, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a landing catch by pointing into the stands and shifting his arms a la the “ Trump dance ” that a number of athletes started doing final 12 months.

The White Home stated a number of cupboard secretaries and Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana additionally have been scheduled to attend.

Solely two different instances did a president go to an NFL sport in the course of the common season whereas in workplace, in line with the league: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Trump turned the primary president at a Tremendous Bowl whereas residing within the White Home when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 40-22 in February.

In accordance with a report by ESPN on Saturday, an middleman for the White Home has informed the Commanders’ possession group that Trump needs the membership’s new stadium — a part of an almost $4 billion challenge within the nation’s capital on the web site of what was generally known as RFK Stadium — to bear his identify.

“That may certainly be a wonderful identify,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated.

Sunday’s go to was the most recent in a collection of high-profile appearances at sporting occasions by Trump, together with golf’s Ryder Cup, auto racing’s Daytona 500 and tennis’ U.S. Open.

“We’re honored to welcome President Trump to the sport as we have fun those that have served and proceed to serve our nation,” Commanders president Mark Clouse stated. “The complete Commanders group is proud to take part within the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their households this Sunday.”

Earlier than the sport, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth chatted with principal proprietor Josh Harris — the chief of the group that bought the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for about $6 billion in 2023 — and took half in an on-field ceremony with members of the navy.

There was friction between Trump and the NFL throughout his first presidential time period, when he objected to gamers kneeling in the course of the nationwide anthem to protest social or racial injustice. That motion started in 2016 with then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Through social media and different public feedback, Trump insisted that gamers ought to stand for the nationwide anthem and referred to as on group homeowners to fireside anybody taking a knee.

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Related Press author Michelle L. Worth contributed to this report.