The 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump, became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, marking a notable intersection of sports and politics.
The Super Bowl takes place every year to determine the National Football League (NFL) champion. It was not just a sports game but a cultural event. Millions of people in the U.S. and worldwide tuned in to watch; an estimated 127.7 million viewers streamed Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9, according to Nielsen, making it one of the most-viewed shows ever. The Super Bowl was also a key opportunity for advertisers, entertainers and politicians to connect with the American audience.
Seth Wilson, freshman exercise science major, found it unusual that past presidents had never taken the opportunity to experience one of the biggest sporting events in the country.
“That’s crazy that no other president has gone to the Super Bowl,” Wilson said.
Before entering politics, Trump was involved in the sports and leisure industry, developing resorts with golf courses. His presence in the business world and interest in sports contributed to his public image before his political career.
Rachel Rogstad, freshman theatre major, considered the historical impact of a sitting president attending the Super Bowl for the first time.
“I wonder what message he was trying to send by being there?” Rogstad said.
President Trump’s attendance at the Super Bowl received mixed reactions. Some viewed it as a notable moment, seeing it as a demonstration of a sitting president engaging in a major cultural event.
For some, it was a significant event reflecting the president’s visibility and engagement with a major occasion. Others viewed his attendance as a strategic move, with some suggesting it was intended to shift focus from political matters.
During a pre-Super Bowl interview, President Trump emphasized unity, stating that success was the key to bringing people together.
“We have to come together, but to come together, there is only one thing that’s going to do it, and it’s massive success,” Trump said.
Trump’s presence at the Super Bowl drew varied reactions. It was an opportunity for a sitting U.S. president to attend a major cultural event and engage with the public in a widely viewed setting.
Whether seen as a moment of engagement or a strategic appearance, Trump’s attendance at the Super Bowl marked a precedent that future presidents may follow in different ways.
