Donald Trump is about to make history at Super Bowl LIX, and it’s not just because of the teams on the field.
The two-time President of the United States is attending Sunday’s showdown at Caesars Superdome between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
This makes him the first sitting or former U.S. President ever to attend a Super Bowl in person.
While U.S. Vice Presidents like Al Gore and George H.W. Bush have made appearances at the NFL’s biggest night, no sitting President had ever taken their seat in the stadium—until now.
The 78-year-old’s attendance is especially surprising considering his rocky history with the NFL.
Over the years, he has clashed with the league on several occasions – whether it was over player protests, ownership bids, or lawsuits.
Back in 1981 and 2014, Trump tried to buy NFL franchises (the Baltimore Colts and the Buffalo Bills, respectively), but both attempts failed.
His tense relationship with the league was further fueled by former NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, who reportedly once told him: “As long as I or my heirs are involved in the NFL, you will never be a franchise owner in the league.”
Trump did eventually get into football ownership, purchasing the New Jersey Generals in the 1980s as part of the now-defunct United States Football League (USFL). But his time in the sport was short-lived. In 1986, he spearheaded a lawsuit against the NFL, accusing them of monopolizing fall TV rights. The league technically won the case—but only received $1 in damages.
Trump’s presence at Super Bowl LIX will likely bring extra tension—not just for security reasons but also because one of the teams playing is the Philadelphia Eagles.
During his first term as President, Trump disinvited the Eagles from the White House after their Super Bowl LII victory in 2018.
The decision came after several Eagles players publicly supported Colin Kaepernick and his protests against racial injustice. Reports at the time suggested that many players had already planned to skip the White House visit before Trump announced:
“They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
With that history in mind, it’s probably no surprise that Trump recently congratulated the Kansas City Chiefs on making it to the Super Bowl—but didn’t extend the same message to the Eagles.
The Super Bowl is already one of the most heavily secured events in the world, with thousands of law enforcement officials, undercover agents, and high-tech surveillance keeping things under control. But with Trump attending, security measures will have to reach another level.
The Secret Service will now have to coordinate with multiple agencies to ensure Trump’s safety inside the stadium and during his journey to and from the event. Given the high-profile nature of the game, it could be a logistical nightmare.
Aside from making history with his attendance, Trump is also set to sit down for a pre-recorded interview, which will air during Fox’s Super Bowl pregame show. The move is an interesting shift for Trump, who has frequently criticized the NFL over the years.
