Trump brings America’s sports powerbrokers into the White House spotlight
Trump turns sport into political stage
Donald Trump is preparing to use the White House as a backdrop for one of the most unusual sports gatherings in modern U.S. history. Next week, the president is expected to unveil new details of the America 250 celebrations with the commissioners of the country’s most powerful sports leagues seated nearby.
According to The Athletic, the Oval Office meeting is expected to include NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLS commissioner Don Garber. Five people familiar with the planning told The Athletic that the executives are currently slated to attend.
UFC chief executive Dana White is also expected to be present, the same sources told The Athletic. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the meeting publicly.
The White House, the leagues and the UFC declined to comment when contacted by The Athletic.
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America 250 as a Trump showcase
Trump announced in December that the White House will host the “Patriot Games,” a four day national competition for high school athletes, as part of the United States’ semiquincentennial celebrations. In a video released by the Freedom 250 initiative, Trump said the event would feature one young man and one young woman from each state and territory, according to The Athletic.
The anniversary marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Trump has made clear he sees the moment as an opportunity to blend patriotism, youth sports and presidential spectacle.
He has also confirmed plans for a UFC event on the South Lawn on June 14. Dana White has previously said official weigh ins would take place at the Lincoln Memorial, with fighters walking from the Oval Office to the Octagon, The Athletic reported.
World Cup year raises the stakes
The America 250 celebrations will unfold during the men’s FIFA World Cup, scheduled for June and July across the United States, Canada and Mexico. A White House task force has proposed installing large “Freedom” trailer trucks bearing U.S. flags at official fan festivals in American host cities, according to The Athletic.
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The NFL has already aligned itself with the anniversary. League officials announced in November that games will feature commemorative footballs, America 250 branding on playoff sidelines and specially marked coins for opening kickoffs, The Athletic reported.
The overlap of a global tournament and a historic national anniversary places Trump at the center of a rare convergence of sport, nationalism and international attention.
A presidency shaped by sport
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has been a familiar presence at major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, the U.S. Open and the College Football Playoff National Championship, according to The Athletic.
But his use of sport has not always stayed within traditional ceremonial boundaries. During an Oval Office appearance in June, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and members of Juventus stood nearby as Trump spoke about transgender participation in women’s sports, potential military action and broader foreign policy questions, The Athletic reported.
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Later in the year, Trump suggested relocating World Cup matches from U.S. cities he considers unsafe and raised the prospect of military strikes in Mexico in 2026, comments made in front of FIFA leadership and international media, according to The Athletic.
When Trump weighs in on the game itself
Trump’s influence has extended beyond symbolism into the governance of sport. He has repeatedly criticized Major League Baseball over the exclusion of Pete Rose from the Hall of Fame, according to The Athletic.
Pete Rose was removed from MLB’s permanently ineligible list in April, months after his death in 2024, making him eligible for Hall of Fame consideration. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in May that Trump was among several voices who supported the decision, The Athletic reported.
According to Manfred, the president’s view was considered alongside input from other stakeholders, underscoring how Trump’s second term has blurred the lines between sports leadership and political power.
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With America 250 approaching and the World Cup arriving on U.S. soil, Trump appears intent on ensuring that sport remains not just entertainment, but a central pillar of his presidency.
Source: The Athletic
