Forget the rallies and the tweets—there’s another Donald Trump who surfaces not in the Oval Office, but in the bleachers, on the golf course, and in late-night Truth Social rants about Pete Rose. This Trump isn’t just a politician. He’s a self-proclaimed sportsman, a locker-room philosopher, and an unapologetic fan of winners—on and off the field.
More Than a Spectator: Trump’s Sports Identity
From the Super Bowl to the U.S. Open, Trump’s 2025 calendar reads like a sports fan’s dream itinerary. But his engagement goes deeper than attendance. Over the past decade, he’s posted thousands of messages about athletes, teams, and league rules—revealing a worldview built on loyalty, toughness, and what he calls “greatness.”
The Trump Sports Hall of Fame (According to Trump)
Trump doesn’t just watch sports—he curates legacies. His all-time favorites share a few key traits: they’re loyal, dominant, and often controversial.
- Tom Brady: Called “the GOAT” by Trump since 2015, Brady earned praise not just for Super Bowl wins but for posing with a MAGA hat in his locker.
- Bryson DeChambeau: The LIV Golf star reps Trump Golf and regularly plays rounds with the former president. Trump describes him as “tough… even nasty… but a great guy.”
- Pete Rose: Banned from baseball for gambling, Rose is still a hero in Trump’s eyes. “Baseball should get off its fat, lazy ass,” Trump posted in February 2025, demanding Rose’s Hall of Fame induction.
- Deion Sanders: When Sanders’s son Shedeur went undrafted early, Trump blasted NFL owners: “What is wrong with them? Are they STUPID?”
Toughness Over Safety: Trump’s Football Philosophy
For Trump, football should be brutal—and anything less is “sissy football.” He’s repeatedly criticized NFL rule changes designed to reduce concussions, including the 2024 kickoff overhaul that cut head injuries by 17%.
“The ball is moving, and the players are not—the exact opposite of what football is all about. ‘Sissy’ football is bad for America!” — Donald Trump, Truth Social, Sept. 15, 2025
Trump’s Sports vs. Politics: Same Script?
| Sports View | Political Parallel |
|---|---|
| “Winners are strong; losers are weak.” | “America First” rhetoric; disdain for compromise. |
| Opposes athlete protests (e.g., Kaepernick kneeling). | Frames dissent as unpatriotic. |
| Wants teams to revert to old, “politically incorrect” names. | “MAKE INDIANS GREAT AGAIN” posts; culture war framing. |
| Blames “wokeness” for U.S. women’s soccer loss in 2023. | Links progressive values to national decline. |
Why It Matters
Trump’s sports commentary isn’t just hobby talk—it’s a window into his leadership ethos. In both arenas, he champions dominance, disdains nuance, and equates loyalty with virtue. As he eyes another presidential run, understanding this lens may be key to decoding his next moves.
[INTERNAL_LINK:trump-political-strategy] | [INTERNAL_LINK:sports-and-politics-in-america]
