Anticipation is soaring for this weekend’s Super Bowl, with an unprecedented number of viewers expected to tune in, including US President Donald Trump. This occasion will mark the first time a sitting president attends the game in person.
Recent polls show most Americans are supporting the Philadelphia Eagles over the formidable Kansas City Chiefs. However, President Trump’s sentiments appear to lean elsewhere. While he’s never outright stated his preference, hints suggest he’d be more than pleased to witness the Eagles’ downfall in this pinnacle of American sports.
Trump’s distaste for the NFL team dates back to 2018 when they clinched their only Super Bowl victory. This season was notably politically charged, with players choosing not to stand for the national anthem in protest against racial discrimination. Trump, then in his debut year as president, vehemently criticized the action.
This Eagles team, known for its social awareness, had key players who planned to boycott the customary White House event for champions. In response, a visibly irked Trump rescinded the team’s invitation.
His relationship with the Eagles and by extension, the city of Philadelphia, didn’t improve over the years. During the first 2020 debate with Joe Biden, he falsely accused the city of preventing poll watchers from overseeing early voting. Trump also singled out Philadelphia for alleged election fraud in the heated aftermath of the elections.
Trump’s defeat in the elections marked the start of an Eagles-friendly era. The incoming first lady, Jill Biden, a Philadelphia native, was revealed to be an ardent Eagles fan. Her husband, a more casual supporter, had even been spotted sporting an Eagles t-shirt.
Despite Biden’s decision not to run for reelection, the Eagles remained in the political limelight. Misleading ads surfaced claiming the Eagles’ endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, forcing the team to publicly deny the ads and reaffirm that they weren’t sanctioned by the franchise.
It’s clear that the ill-will stemming from the White House snub, the Biden family’s support for the Eagles, and other incidents haven’t been forgotten by Trump. When both the Chiefs and the Eagles qualified for the Super Bowl, only the Chiefs received Trump’s congratulations, with the Eagles conspicuously overlooked.
Trump’s affinity for the Chiefs is no secret. After Brittany Mahomes, wife of star Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, liked one of Trump’s Instagram posts, Trump publicly thanked her.
Amid his busy schedule, Trump found time to congratulate Patrick and Brittany Mahomes on the birth of their daughter. However, despite these hints, the official stance is that the president isn’t favoring any team. But when asked about his Super Bowl preference, Trump hinted at a favorite: “I don’t wanna say,” he said, “but there’s a certain quarterback that seems to be a pretty good winner.”
