Trump to Attend NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia This Weekend

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — President Donald Trump will attend the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships this weekend at the Wells Fargo Center, marking his first visit to Philadelphia since beginning his second term in office. The championships will run from March 20-22, co-hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and PHL Sports.

Trump, a long-time fan of competitive and professional wrestling, received an invitation to the event alongside OutKick founder Clay Travis, who was invited as part of a new media initiative by the White House aimed at incorporating sports entities into the press pool.

In a statement, Travis expressed gratitude to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for the opportunity to fly aboard Air Force One to Philadelphia. “It’s an honor to represent OutKick at such a significant sporting event,” Travis said.

Joining Travis on the flight are a media contingent that may include journalists from diverse political backgrounds. Speculation around Trump’s participation highlights his ongoing connection to wrestling, having previously invited professional wrestling figures and shown support for notable wrestling events.

Trump’s attendance comes just weeks after he signed legislation impacting women’s sports, drawing attention to policies aligning with his administration’s educational agenda, including the appointment of WWE co-founder and promoter, who serves as the U.S. Secretary of Education.

The Penn Quakers are sending seven wrestlers to compete, with freshman Cross Wasilewski holding the highest seed at ninth place in the 149-pound weight class. Fans and commentators alike are eager to see how Trump’s presence in the stands influences the atmosphere of the tournament, which has been the stage for numerous wrestling legends.

The NCAA championships will begin Thursday at noon, culminating with the finals on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Media enthusiasts and wrestling fans are advised to follow the updates as the event unfolds.

As the excitement builds, it remains to be seen whether Trump and Travis will set the stage for new wrestling alliances, reminiscent of wrestling’s iconic duos. The wrestling community is buzzing with anticipation for what this weekend may bring.