President Donald Trump was loudly booed by spectators when he appeared on the videoboard at Northwest Stadium during Sunday's Washington Commanders game against the Detroit Lions.
The president's groundbreaking appearance ended a nearly half-century drought of presidential attendance at regular-season NFL games, demonstrating the kind of bold leadership that involves showing up places where you're not wanted.
Trump stood in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson and was jeered both when shown on the Jumbotron late in the first half and again when introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime. Sources confirmed the booing continued even as Trump read the Oath of Enlistment for military recruits during an on-field ceremony, proving that Americans can simultaneously support the troops while expressing their constitutional right to vocally disapprove of their commander-in-chief.
The historic visit came just days after ESPN reported that Trump's team communicated through back channels their desire for the planned $3.7 billion stadium to bear the president's name, despite the fact that Trump does not want to pay for the naming rights, which are typically sold to corporate sponsors for millions of dollars. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that having Trump's name on the stadium would be "a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible."
The president had previously threatened in July to block the stadium's construction unless the team changed its name back to the Redskins, which is considered offensive to Native Americans, showcasing his keen understanding of how to endear himself to local sports fans.
Trump left before the game ended, with the Commanders losing 44-22 to the Lions, though it remained unclear whether his early departure was planned or motivated by the crowd's enthusiastic vocal feedback regarding his attendance.
