US President-elect Donald Trump attended the 125th Army-Navy football game on Saturday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. Accompanied by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and several influential Republican figures, the event marked Trump’s return to a cherished tradition of his political career.
Trump, who previously attended Army-Navy games during his presidency and his first presidential transition in 2016, was greeted with cheers from the crowd. Chants of “USA, USA!” broke out as Trump and his entourage, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, appeared on the stadium’s video screen.
Trump saluted alongside service members during the national anthem.
Joining Trump in the suite were Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, potential backup nominee for defense secretary, and Daniel Penny, a former Marine recently acquitted in the high-profile subway death of Jordan Neely.
Penny’s presence was highlighted by JD Vance, who invited him as his guest and described Penny as a symbol of resilience.
“Daniel’s a good guy, and New York’s mob district attorney tried to ruin his life for having a backbone,” Vance said in a post on X on Friday.
The game provided Trump an opportunity to showcase key members of his incoming administration, including Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence nominee, and Mike Waltz, the national security adviser pick. Both are Army veterans and vocal supporters of military initiatives.
In a video posted on social media, they playfully declared their allegiance: “We love our Navy, except today,” Waltz said, while Gabbard chimed in with “Go Army!”.
Elon Musk, co-lead of Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), also joined the gathering, drawing additional public attention. Musk’s involvement signals the administration’s commitment to streamlining government operations.
According to AP, Army (11-1) is ranked 19th in The Associated Press Top 25 after beating Tulane on Dec. 6 to win the American Athletic Conference — the first league title of any kind in the team’s 134-year history. Navy (8-3) was ranked earlier this season after starting with six straight victories
As per CNN, the president-elect’s public appearances are part of a broader effort to energize his base and promote unity among his team before the inauguration on January 20, 2025.
With his allies rallying around him and plans for his administration taking shape, Trump used the Army-Navy game to reinforce his connection to the military and Republican leadership—a symbolic kickoff for his upcoming presidency.
