Super Bowl Viewers Divided as Camera Pans to Donald Trump During National Anthem

Donald Trump made history as the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl, joining fans at the New Orleans Superdome on February 9 to watch the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the moment the camera panned to him during Jon Batiste’s performance of the national anthem sparked a wave of mixed reactions from viewers.

As Batiste, a Grammy-winning artist, delivered a powerful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the broadcast cut to Trump standing in the stands, saluting the flag. While some viewers claimed the crowd booed the former president, others argued it was unclear whether the noise was cheers or jeers.

Social media quickly lit up with debate. “Y’all didn’t boo at Donald Trump loud enough,” one person tweeted. Another wrote, “That was pretty s**tty to show Trump during Jon Batiste singing the National Anthem, forced me and half of America to boo.” Meanwhile, others were unsure, with one user commenting, “Did they cheer or boo Trump? Difficult to tell.” Another echoed, “Did they boo or cheer Trump at the #SuperBowlLIX?”

Ahead of the game, Trump released a statement expressing his excitement to attend the event, calling it a celebration of American unity and values. “I look forward to joining the fans in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX to cheer on two great teams – the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles – as they battle for the National Football League’s Vince Lombardi Trophy,” he said.

He praised the players and coaches for embodying the American Dream, emphasizing the importance of hard work, dedication, and fairness in sports. Trump also highlighted the role of football in bringing people together, stating, “This annual tradition transcends our differences and personifies our shared patriotic values of family, faith, and freedom heroically defended by our military service members, law enforcement officers, and first responders.”

Despite the divisive reactions to his appearance, Trump’s presence at the Super Bowl underscored the event’s cultural significance and its ability to spark conversations far beyond the game itself.