Trump’s Super Bowl Visit Sparks Mix of Excitement and Controversy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — President Donald Trump‘s presence at Super Bowl LIX has ignited a mix of excitement and controversy as the Kansas City Chiefs aim for a historic three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl winner, expressed gratitude when asked about Trump’s attendance. ‘It’s always cool to be able to play in front of a sitting president, someone in the top position in our country,’ Mahomes said during a media appearance Wednesday. His teammate, tight end Travis Kelce, echoed similar sentiments, calling it a ‘great honor’ to have the president at the game, regardless of who holds the office.

However, the visit has also stirred up political undertones. Trump’s history of criticism toward Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, has drawn attention. In September, Trump wrote on Truth Social, ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ following her public support for Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite this, Kelce remained diplomatic, stating, ‘It’s awesome. It’s a great honor, I think no matter who the President is.’

Mahomes’ wife, Brittany, has been an outspoken supporter of Trump, liking several social media posts in support of him ahead of the 2024 election. This earned her a public thank-you from Trump on Truth Social, where he also predicted, ‘See you both at the Super Bowl!’ Brittany is expected to attend the game after recently giving birth to the couple’s third child.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles have a complicated history with Trump. In 2018, Trump canceled the team’s White House visit after their Super Bowl win, citing disagreements over player protests during the national anthem. Only a handful of players from that championship team remain on the Eagles’ roster, including right tackle Lane Johnson and defensive end Brandon Graham.

Trump’s relationship with the Chiefs has been warmer. In 2020, he famously congratulated the team for their Super Bowl LIV victory, albeit with a geographical error, praising them as being from ‘the Great State of Kansas’ despite playing in Kansas City, Missouri. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt‘s family has also been publicly supportive of Trump, with his wife, Tavia, backing Trump’s border wall initiative.

As the big game approaches, Trump has praised the Chiefs on Truth Social, congratulating them on their AFC Championship win and complimenting their ‘GREAT Team, Coach, Quarterback, and virtually everything else.’ He also criticized the NFL‘s new kickoff rules, calling them ‘weird’ and ‘dangerous,’ but expressed excitement for the game, saying, ‘IT WILL BE A GREAT GAME!!!’

Fans remain divided on Trump’s attendance. Some view it as a nod to the event’s significance, while others criticize his past comments about Swift and his polarizing political stance. Kelce’s measured response has drawn both praise and skepticism, with some fans interpreting it as a diplomatic gesture and others questioning its sincerity.

Regardless of the political dynamics, the game promises to be historic, with the Chiefs attempting to achieve a three-peat, a feat no NFL team has accomplished before. Kelce, who is close to breaking Jerry Rice‘s postseason records, will be a key player to watch. As the nation tunes in, the intersection of sports and politics will undoubtedly be amajor talking point long after the final whistle blows.