Trump booed by fans during first presidential appearance at NFL game in decades | Watch

Trump booed by NFL fans during historic appearance at Commanders-Lions game

US President Donald Trump made a rare public appearance at an NFL regular-season game on Sunday, becoming the first sitting American president in nearly half a century to do so. He attended the Washington Commanders’ home clash against the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, as part of the league’s annual “Salute to Service” tribute.

Speaking to reporters earlier at Joint Base Andrews, Trump joked about his delayed arrival, saying, “I’m a little bit late.” He added, “We’re gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country’s doing well. The Democrats have to open it up,” referring to the ongoing government shutdown.

An Air Force One flyover and a ceremonial enlistment event for new military recruits marked Trump’s arrival. However, the reception inside the stadium was far from warm. When his image appeared on the big screen late in the first half, loud boos echoed across the stands, mixed with a few cheers.

Trump getting booed at the Commanders game pic.twitter.com/ZKgoLqvpqz

— Acyn (@Acyn) November 9, 2025

The Washington, D.C., area, known for its strong Democratic leanings and large number of federal employees affected by Trump’s budget cuts, has historically not been friendly territory for him. In 2019, Nationals fans shouted “lock him up” during the World Series when Trump appeared at a game.

Before Sunday’s match, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown by mimicking Trump’s viral “dance move,” which has circulated widely on social media.

Trump later joined Fox Sports commentators Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for a short, light-hearted conversation about football and his high school days at the New York Military Academy.

According to NFL records, only Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978 have attended regular-season games while in office. Trump also made history earlier this year as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl.

ESPN reported that Trump has shown interest in having the Commanders’ planned $4 billion new stadium, set to be built at the old RFK Stadium site, named after him. “It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen,” an official told ESPN. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an email, “That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.”