On February 9, 2025, former US President Donald Trump will attend the Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana, marking the first time a sitting president has attended the game since its inception in 1966. This event comes after Trump granted an interview to Fox News, which will air before the game. The interview marks a return to a tradition started by President George W. Bush in 2004, where the president would give a pre-game interview to the official broadcaster.
Trump's presence at the Super Bowl is significant given his history with the National Football League (NFL). While described as a "die-hard" fan by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Trump's relationship with the league has been strained. His repeated failures to acquire an NFL franchise since the 1980s fueled resentment. During his first term, Trump criticized players who protested racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem, calling for their dismissal. He also canceled a White House reception for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, citing a lack of patriotism among the team members.
The NFL has also faced criticism for removing the "end racism" inscription from the end zones during the Super Bowl, replacing it with "choose love" and "it takes all of us." This decision comes after Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and encouraged private companies to do the same. The NFL claims the change is intended to highlight recent tragedies in the US, but some view it as a response to Trump's policies.
The Super Bowl LIX will feature a performance by rapper Kendrick Lamar during the halftime show. Lamar, known for his politically charged lyrics and criticism of Trump during his first term, has promised to tell "stories" that will "make people think." The game will also be a platform for political messaging, with Trump's presence and the NFL's decision on the end zone inscriptions drawing attention to the current political climate in the US.