Chicago – November 09, 2025
Donald Trump made history by becoming the first sitting U.S. president in nearly 50 years to attend a regular-season NFL game. On Sunday, Trump attended the Washington Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
This marked only the third time a sitting president attended a regular NFL season game, joining Richard Nixon (1969) and Jimmy Carter (1978). Trump had previously been the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl in February 2025.
Trump was expected to sit with Josh Harris, the principal owner of the Commanders, who led the group’s $6 billion purchase of the team in 2023. Trump’s visit coincided with the NFL’s Salute to Service event, honoring military veterans and active-duty personnel. The Commanders organization welcomed Trump’s attendance as a way to celebrate the sacrifices of those who serve.
Additionally, reports surfaced that Trump expressed interest in having the Commanders’ new stadium, part of a $3.7 billion development on the old RFK Stadium site, named after him. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described this idea as “a beautiful name.”
Security was notably heightened at the game, reflecting the significance of Trump’s appearance. His visit continued a recent trend of high-profile sports event appearances by Trump, including golf, auto racing, and tennis. His relationship with the NFL has been complex, especially due to past controversies over player protests during the national anthem.
