Trump skips Super Bowl, seeks crypto donations in pre-game ‘AI’ ad; social media calls it as a ‘scam’

Trump skips Super Bowl, sparks ‘scam’ claims with crypto donation pitch in pre-game ad

US President Donald Trump used the Super Bowl LX pre-game broadcast on Sunday to seek campaign donations in cryptocurrency, while also issuing a presidential message praising the NFL championship as a defining American tradition.

During Fox’s NFL pre-game show, an announcement-style video featuring Trump urged supporters to donate digitally, with Trump claiming he would “double the money” contributed.

The video, which some viewers said appeared AI-generated, carried no disclosure regarding the use of artificial intelligence. The broadcast also featured Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

"We can all experience the American Dream."@TrumpAccounts 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/11L9lFl4x2

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 8, 2026

Trump did not attend the Super Bowl clash between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, despite making history last year as the first sitting US president to attend the event. He had earlier told the New York Post he would skip the game, citing distance.

“A scam stream of the Super Bowl featuring Trump asking for people to send him crypto has 99k viewers right now,” one social media user wrote.

“It’s just too far away,” Trump said. “I would. I've [gotten] great hands [at] the Super Bowl. They like me. I would go if, you know, it was a little bit shorter.”

In his televised message, Trump described the Super Bowl as more than a sporting event. “On the field, players and coaches bring years of hard work, preparation, and commitment to football’s biggest night,” he said. “Across the country, millions of fans come together to cheer on their teams and share in a moment of history. Today, every American is a football fan.”

He concluded by saying, “May tonight’s game reflect the best of football and the enduring triumph of the American spirit – and may the best team win!”

Trump also criticised the entertainment lineup, singling out halftime performer Bad Bunny and pre-game act Green Day.

“I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible,” he said. Despite the criticism, Green Day performed “Holiday” and “American Idiot” before kickoff without making political remarks.

Separately, Trump addressed football news in a pre-recorded NBC interview, calling it “very inappropriate” that six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

“I thought it was terrible,” Trump said. “I mean, he’s won so much, won so many Super Bowls. Great coach.”

During the broadcast, a 30-second commercial promoting “Trump Accounts,” tax-advantaged investment accounts for children, also aired. The advertisement was backed by Invest America, a Trump-aligned nonprofit, and was not funded by the federal government. Industry estimates place the cost of a national Super Bowl commercial at about $8 million.