Former President Donald Trump plans to attend one of college football's biggest rivalries, when Alabama plays Georgia later this month.
“Current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will be attending the Crimson Tide vs. Bulldogs game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on September 28th.” Reported USA Today.
A Trump campaign source confirmed to the outlet that the former president plans to watch the game.
Both inside and outside the White House, Trump has attended major U.S. sporting events, including the annual Army-Navy game, the College Football Playoff national championship, the World Series and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race. UFC events are Trump's most frequent venues, with athletes often calling out to him and even giving him a nod from the ring.
“In addition to attending the 2018 national championship game, President Trump has attended previous home games with the Crimson Tide,” USA Today noted. “In 2019, he attended a star-studded game between Alabama and Louisiana State in Tuscaloosa, where Trump was cheered on as he was shown on the stadium's big screen. It was the first time a sitting president had attended an Alabama home football game.”
Given that the former president has faced two assassination attempts this year, one of which led to the death of former Pennsylvania Fire Chief Cory Comperatore, it remains to be seen how his presence in such a public setting will affect overall public safety.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wall told the Tuscaloosa News that Alabamians would welcome the former president with open arms.
“Alabamians have a special relationship with Donald Trump, and Republicans are always excited to have him in our state,” Wall said.
Georgia is a battleground state in this election, so Trump's participation in the game is a strategic move.
