Donald Trump Booed as First Sitting U.S. President to Attend a Regular-Season NFL Game Since 1978

President Donald Trump made a rare appearance at a regular-season NFL game on Sunday, becoming the first sitting U.S. president in nearly half a century to attend one. Trump watched the Washington Commanders take on the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium, seated in a suite alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson.

When Trump appeared on the videoboard late in the first half, boos and scattered cheers erupted from the crowd — a reaction that intensified when the stadium announcer formally introduced him at halftime. The president later led an oath ceremony for members of the military as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service tribute, which continued amid audible jeering from parts of the stands.

“I’m a little bit late,” Trump told reporters after stepping off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, following a brief flyover of the stadium. “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,” he added, alluding to the ongoing government shutdown.

Earlier in the game, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown by mimicking the so-called “Trump dance,” a move popularized by athletes last year.

According to the White House, several cabinet members and Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) also attended the game. The NFL said only Richard Nixon (1969) and Jimmy Carter (1978) had previously attended a regular-season game while in office. Trump also became the first president to attend a Super Bowl while serving, when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in February.

An ESPN report on Saturday revealed that a White House intermediary had approached the Commanders’ ownership group with a proposal for the team’s new $4 billion stadium—planned on the former RFK Stadium site—to be named after Trump. “That would surely be a beautiful name,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in response.

Commanders president Mark Clouse welcomed Trump’s attendance, saying, “We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country.”

Before kickoff, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined team owner Josh Harris and military personnel on the field for a pregame ceremony.

Trump’s visit marks his latest appearance at major sporting events, following previous outings to the Ryder Cup, the Daytona 500, and the U.S. Open.

The visit also rekindled memories of Trump’s contentious history with the NFL. During his first term, he criticized players who knelt during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice — a movement started by Colin Kaepernick in 2016 — calling on team owners to fire those who refused to stand.