Commentator in chief: Trump previews his Super Bowl visit

Donald Trump is gearing up to be the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl on Sunday in New Orleans, saying on social media that “IT WILL BE A GREAT GAME.”

Trump, in a Friday morning post on his Truth Social, said he is eager to see the stars on both teams when the Kansas City Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. The game, Trump said, features “two great quarterbacks,” in Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts and “an unbelievable running back.”

Trump did not specify which running back he was referencing, but the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley is the more likely option, as he rushed for over 2,000 yards and scored 13 touchdowns this season. And Trump made sure to note the game’s “great coaching,” too.

During media appearances this week, some of the game’s biggest stars were asked about Trump’s attendance. Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, who Trump was likely referring to when he said “the absolute best tight end in football (Ever!)” was playing, called Trump’s attendance a “great honor.”

“I think you know, no matter who the president is, I know I’m excited because it’s the biggest game of my life, you know, and having the president there — it’s the best country in the world — and that’s pretty cool,” Kelce told reporters. Kelce is dating pop superstar Taylor Swift, who endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 and whom the president has repeatedly attacked.

Hurts’ response to Trump was a bit more brief. “No, ma’am,” Hurts responded when asked if Trump being at the game adds any pressure. In response to another question about Trump’s attendance, the quarterback said, “He’s welcome to do whatever he wants.”

But the president’s post was not all positive. He made sure to express his displeasure in the NFL’s new kickoff procedure, which started this year and has received mixed responses from fans, though the NFL says it’s more safe.

“If they would only get rid of that really weird looking new Kickoff ‘deal,’ which actually makes football more dangerous, they would be doing everybody, especially the fans, a big favor. ANYWAY, IT WILL BE A GREAT GAME!!!” Trump wrote.

He also left a parting diss for former President Joe Biden in his post while promoting his Sunday interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, which will air during the pregame show. “There hasn’t been one in four years (Gee, I wonder why?),” Trump said, referencing Biden’s choice to skip the traditional interview on Super Bowl Sunday last year. Biden did, however, participate in Super Bowl interviews in 2021 and 2022.