President Trump Attends NFL Game Honoring Veterans
On November 9, 2025, President Donald Trump was present at the NFL matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. During the event, he observed Air Force One perform a flyover and participated in the halftime ceremony, called the “Service Salute,” dedicated to honoring veterans.
This game was part of the NFL’s broader “Salute to Service” initiative, which aims to recognize the contributions of military members, veterans, and their families.
Mark Close, the Commanders Club President, expressed that the team felt “honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we honor those who have served and continue to serve our country.”
He further stated, “The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide salute of honor this Sunday, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active duty military, and their families.”
Notably, President Trump became the first sitting president to attend a regular season NFL game since Jimmy Carter did so in 1978.
Shortly after kickoff, spectators saw Air Force One fly overhead.
“I’m a little late,” Trump remarked as he made his way to the stadium. “We’re going to have a good game. Things are going very well. This country is going well. The Democrats have to open it up.”
Following the game, Trump was expected to meet with Josh Harris, the principal owner of the Commanders, who recently secured approval from White House officials to construct a cutting-edge stadium in Washington.
The new stadium is anticipated to be finished in 2030, with an estimated total cost of around $3.7 billion.
As reported by ESPN, Trump has suggested naming the stadium after himself. When questioned about this, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt commented, “It’s definitely a beautiful name because President Trump is the one who made the new stadium possible.”
During the first quarter, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown scored a touchdown, gestured towards Trump’s suite, and humorously performed Trump’s well-known dance, which generated buzz on social media.
