Donald Trump showed signs of being unsettled at a recent NFL game when met with boos from the crowd.
On a recent November Sunday, Trump attended an NFL game at Northwest Stadium in Maryland, where the Washington Commanders faced a tough defeat against the Detroit Lions with a score of 44-22. As Trump appeared on the large stadium screen during the first half, and again at halftime, the reaction from the fans was loud and clear: boos filled the air.
Facing a less-than-warm welcome, Trump tried to keep his message positive, saying, “We’re gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country’s doing well.” However, he didn’t touch on the ongoing government shutdown’s impact, which has left millions unsure about essential services like food stamp benefits.
The reaction from the crowd comes as speculation grows over Trump’s interest in naming the Commanders’ future stadium after himself.
Trump’s wish for the new 65,000-seat stadium, which will open in 2030 and cost around $3.7 billion, to bear his name has not been without controversy. Past disagreements regarding the team’s name changes also seem to linger.
An official from the White House suggested to ESPN that Trump’s naming wish might just come true due to his role in redeveloping the venue. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the sentiment with, “That would be a beautiful name.”
Shortly after the event, videos of the president being booed were widely shared online. Many found amusement, with comments like, “Oh, he was rattled, you could barely hear him!” reflecting the scene. Another said, “This is the most boos Trump has ever had—so embarrassing.”
Social media users didn’t hold back, joking that the crowd’s reaction was a sign they did not favor naming the stadium after Trump. Observations like, “He was shook,” and “That moment when the smile drops,” painted a scene of discomfort for the former president. Another user shared, “Oh, he’s seething. Good.”
This was a noteworthy event, as it marked the first instance of a sitting president at a regular NFL season game in almost five decades since Jimmy Carter in 1978.
