Less than a month into President Donald Trump’s second term, it is becoming abundantly clear that many of his most ardent critics are having a tough time dealing with the new reality.
Ahead of next week’s Super Bowl, even reports that Trump might become the first sitting president to attend the big game is too much for one columnist to accept.
As Fox News reported:
News of Trump’s impending visit to Caesars Superdome this Sunday sparked strong reactions. On Tuesday, an op-ed piece from USA Today columnist Mike Freeman addressed the president’s reported decision to watch the NFL’s championship game in person. Freeman characterized Trump as “the most divisive president of our lifetime.”
He asserted that the Super Bowl is typically a moment in which the majority of Americans come together, despite their differences.
“We put aside politics. We put aside our differences. We take part in a great American tradition,” Freeman noted.
However, instead of allowing the big game to take on its annual role “as a genuine moment of unity,” Freeman argued that Trump’s presence could sully the moment’s integrity.
“Trump soils everything. Now, he’s doing the same to the biggest game of the year,” he continued.
Freeman also pointed to some of the likely logistical concerns Trump’s presence would create for security personnel leading up to and during Sunday.
“There’s a reason sitting presidents don’t normally go. It’s potentially a security nightmare. But also, to me, they want the game to be the center of attention, not them,” he wrote.
Unsurprisingly, countless other Americans had a much different take on Trump’s plans to attend the Super Bowl:
I just saw that President Trump will be at the Super Bowl. Taylor Swift's head may explode! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/f6FP4IVil8
— Suzy Emre ❤️🖤👆🌵🙏 (@suzyemre) February 4, 2025
This Sunday, President Trump will make history by being the first sitting President to attend a Super Bowl.
It’s going to be the biggest sporting event of all time. 🇺🇸 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LVFaZrUhyS
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) February 4, 2025
That would be the only reason I would watch
— Lil oh Dave (@DM_4USA) February 4, 2025
AP News provided additional coverage of Trump’s plans for Sunday:
“Extensive planning and coordination have been in place to ensure the safety of all attendees, players, and staff,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. “Security measures have been further enhanced this year, given that this will be the first time a sitting President of the United States will attend the event.”
Fans attending the game can expect more information in the coming days about what to expect regarding security checkpoints, he said.
Trump also plans to sit for an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier as part of the network’s preshow programming, which is set to be taped from Florida before the game. Presidents traditionally grant an interview to the network that’s broadcasting the football game, though both Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, were inconsistent about participating.
Here’s some additional coverage of the added security measures being implemented ahead of Trump’s visit to New Orleans:
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