In a historic move, President Donald Trump attended the Washington Commanders' regular-season game against the Detroit Lions on November 9, 2025, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. This marked the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended a regular-season NFL game since Jimmy Carter in 1978. The event was part of the NFL's Salute to Service initiative, honoring military members. Commanders team president Mark Clouse expressed honor in welcoming President Trump to the game, emphasizing the celebration of those who have served and continue to serve the country. The stadium was secured with U.S. Secret Service and additional fencing hours before the game, ensuring the safety of the president and attendees.
During his visit, President Trump arrived at Joint Base Andrews, where he was greeted by reporters. He mentioned being a little late and expressed optimism about the game, stating, "We're gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country's doing well." His presence at the game drew mixed reactions from the crowd. Some spectators cheered, while others booed when he was shown on the videoboard late in the first half, standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson. This event underscores the intersection of politics and sports, highlighting the president's engagement with national pastimes and his efforts to honor military service members.