Donald Trump Greeted with Boos and Cheers During Commanders vs. Lions NFL Game — First Sitting President to Attend in Nearly 50 Years
President Donald Trump received a mixed reaction from the crowd during the Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions NFL game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2025. As he appeared on the stadium’s big screen late in the first half, the 79-year-old president was met with massive boos and scattered cheers from fans at the Commanders’ Northwest Stadium.
Trump, who was watching the game from a suite alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson, smiled and waved to the crowd as the reaction echoed through the arena. When the announcer formally introduced him during halftime, the audience once again erupted into a combination of applause and jeers.
During the halftime ceremony, Trump led a group of service members in reciting the Oath of Enlistment, which drew another round of mixed reactions from fans across the stadium.
This marks another instance of Trump receiving a divided reception at major sporting events. Earlier this year, he was booed at the U.S. Open in September and at the FIFA World Cup in July.
According to the Associated Press, Trump’s appearance at the Commanders vs. Lions matchup makes him the first sitting U.S. president to attend a regular-season NFL game since Jimmy Carter in 1978. Before Carter, Richard Nixon attended in 1969.
Earlier this year, Trump also made history as the first president to attend a Super Bowl while in office, when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in February.
During the third quarter, Trump joined Fox Sports commentators Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for a brief interview, where he discussed why he enjoys attending sporting events.
“You have the triumph and you have the problems, and you have to get through the problems to hit the triumphs,” Trump said, reflecting on sports and leadership.
