Trump Makes Historic NFL Appearance, Draws Boos From Crowd
Former President Donald Trump made a rare appearance at an NFL game on Sunday, November 5th, attending the Washington Commanders‘ matchup against the Detroit Lions. The visit was marked by both a military appreciation event and vocal disapproval from a portion of the crowd.
Trump’s history with the Commanders organization resurfaced leading up to the game, recalling a previous instance where he threatened to block stadium construction unless the team reverted to its former name, the Washington redskins. The Redskins name had been a source of controversy due to its perceived offensive nature towards Native Americans, ultimately leading to the team’s rebranding as the Commanders in 2022.
During the game,Trump participated in an on-field ceremony honoring members of the military alongside Commanders principal owner Josh Harris and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Prior to the event, Trump referenced the ongoing goverment shutdown, stating, “The Democrats have to open it up.” Negotiations to resolve the shutdown continue, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicating the Senate plans to vote on a proposal to extend government funding into late January, as reported by Axios.
The game also included a notable moment unrelated to Trump’s presence: Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. brown celebrated a touchdown with a gesture known as the “Trump dance,” which has been adopted by several athletes over the past year.
However, the most prominent narrative surrounding Trump’s appearance centered on the reaction from the crowd. Numerous reports and social media posts detailed meaningful booing directed at the former president.
NY Post national Politics Editor Marisa shultz reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the crowd was “quite loud” with some attempting to “drown him out” during the enlistment event. Democratic political commentator Harry Sisson, tech influencer Brian Krassenstein, and podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen all posted to X claiming Trump was “loudly booed,” ”viciously booed,” and “massively booed” respectively, with Cohen adding that the former president was also subjected to gestures of disapproval.
The Commanders organization released a statement acknowledging Trump’s attendance, stating they were “honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country.” The statement emphasized the team’s participation in the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative,recognizing the dedication of military personnel and their families.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Update 11/9/25, 7:21 p.m.ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
