Donald Trump, the three-time Republican presidential nominee, appeared as a surprise guest at the Alabama vs Georgia football game in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night. The former president was greeted by a flood of ‘USA’ chants and ‘Four more years’ as he entered Bryant-Denny Stadium. Trump was joined by a group of notables including the Alabama Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, and the musician Kid Rock. Trump tossed merchandise to fans and waved to the crowd, drawing enthusiastic applause from the stadium.
With more than 100,000 in attendance, the game featured two of the strongest college football programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). When Trump emerged, he was greeted with loud cheers and thunderous applause. He was displayed on the stadium’s jumbotron and, after accepting the cheers, he was given a standing ovation by many in the crowd. Trump’s appearance at the game reveals that he remains popular in Alabama, a traditional Republican stronghold, especially as Trump mounts his 2024 presidential campaign.
This isn’t the first time Trump has attended a major college football game. He’s been to past College Football Playoff games, including the Clemson vs South Carolina rivalry in 2022 and the Alabama vs LSU matchup in 2019. His presence at these games is often accompanied by crowds of supporters, and Saturday night was no different. Trump was spotted watching from a VIP box after the game started, waving and smiling as Alabama jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter.
Security was tight due to the large crowd and threats against the former president in recent weeks, but no apparent problems occurred. Even considering the volatility of US politics, it is fair to say that Trump’s public appearance at the game was greeted with enthusiasm and goodwill by the Alabama crowd. Fans enjoyed the experience, and it’s hard not to see his sway in the heartland of the Republican Party growing.
While Trump embraced the energy of the Tuscaloosa crowd, Trump’s political opponent, vice president Kamala Harris, apparently had a banner made to send a message to the former president, recalling his lack of attendance at the second debate of the GOP campaign. Of course, Trump and his supporters weren’t there for the trolling. They were there for the football game, and Trump’s presence at big sports events continued his long tradition of friendly visits with major sports teams.
