President Donald Trump was met with thunderous applause Monday night when he appeared on the Jumbotron at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Indiana Hoosiers. While some politicians get polite claps, Trump got the kind of reception you can’t fake—or spin.
As the cameras locked onto him during the national anthem, Trump stood and waved to the roaring crowd, drawing cheers that echoed throughout the stadium. So much for the tired narrative that Americans are “exhausted” by him.
Seated near the president in his suite were his daughter Ivanka and three of his grandchildren. Also in attendance was his granddaughter Kai, an incoming golfer at the University of Miami, making the night a family affair as well as a championship event.
Ahead of kickoff, Trump released a statement from the White House congratulating both teams. “Melania and I congratulate the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes on making it to the College Football Playoff National Championship,” he said. He went on to add, “God bless the talented players and dedicated coaches, the families who love and support them, and the faithful fans who cheer them on. May the best team win!”
Classy, patriotic, and refreshingly normal—three things Americans tend to appreciate.
Trump wasn’t the only high-profile official in attendance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Miami native and longtime Hurricanes fan, was also on hand, underscoring the significance of the event and its hometown pride.
The moment was hardly an outlier. President Trump has become a regular presence at major sporting events during both of his terms. From UFC fights to the Super Bowl to flipping the coin at this year’s Army–Navy game, Trump has consistently shown up where Americans gather—rather than lecturing them from afar.
He’s also taking action beyond the stands. Trump is planning an executive order to prevent postseason college football from overlapping with the annual Army–Navy game, ensuring that one of the nation’s most meaningful traditions gets the spotlight it deserves. Imagine that—using executive authority to protect patriotism instead of apologizing for it.
Monday night’s ovation was a reminder that outside the bubble of political punditry, real Americans still respond to leadership, pride in country, and a president who shows up. And judging by the cheers in Miami, that connection is alive and well.
