Donald Trump booed as Commanders-Lions football game

Some spectators booed in the stands when Trump appeared on the video screen late in the first half — standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson — and again when the president was introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime.

The mockery continued as Trump read an oath for members of the military to recite as part of an on-field ceremony during halftime in the game.

“I’m a little late,” Trump told reporters earlier as he stepped off Air Force One after landing at Joint Base Andrews, after flying over Northwest Stadium during the game. Then he got into his armored car and headed to the square.

“We’re going to have a good game. Things are going well. The country is going well. Democrats have to open things up,” he said, referring to the government shutdown.

In the first quarter on Sunday, before the Chiefs arrived, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Paul celebrated. Brown caught the landing by pointing to the stands and moving his arms similar to the “Trump dance” that many athletes began doing last year.

The White House said that a number of Cabinet ministers and Republican senator Steve Daines from Montana are scheduled to attend.

Only two other times has a president gone to a regular-season NFL game while in office, according to the league: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Trump became the first president to go to a Super Bowl while staying in the White House when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in February.

According to a report by ESPN on Saturday, a White House mediator told the Leaders’ ownership group that Trump wants the club’s new stadium — part of a nearly $4 billion project in the nation’s capital on the site of what was known as RFK Stadium — to bear his name.

“That would certainly be a nice name,” press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said.

Sunday’s visit was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances by Trump at sporting events, including golf’s Ryder Cup, the Daytona 500 auto racing tournament and the US Open tennis tournament.

“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country,” Chief Commander Mark Close said. “The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active duty service members, and their families this Sunday.”

Before the game, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke with principal owner Josh Harris — the leader of the group that bought Commanders from Daniel Snyder for about $6 billion in 2023 — and participated in an on-field celebration with members of the military.

Friction occurred between Trump and the NFL during his first presidential term, when he objected to players kneeling during the national anthem in protest against social or racial injustice. This movement began in 2016 with then-49-year-old quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Through social media and other public comments, Trump insisted that players must stand during the national anthem, and called on team owners to fire anyone who took a knee.