NBC devoted just a fleeting few seconds to former President Donald Trump’s attendance at a Sunday night Pittsburgh Steelers game that the network was broadcasting, leaving some fans crying foul, especially given its doting coverage of Taylor Swift.
The former president was seen on the national broadcast for less than 10 seconds where he waved appreciatively to throngs of black-and-yellow-clad Steelers fans. Some present for the game shot video of the crowd chanting “USA! USA!” during breaks in the game, none of which was captured by NBC when it chose to briefly acknowledge his presence. “The 45th president, Donald Trump, in attendance tonight, the invited guest of one of the suite-holders here,” said commentator Mike Tirico before the network quickly switched to an overhead shot of the packed stadium.
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MAGA fans called out NBC for hypocrisy, with one noting that the network on average devotes many minutes of airtime to showing or talking about Taylor Swift during her attendance at Kansas City Chiefs games to watch her boyfriend, tight end Travis Kelce. “On average, NBC shows Taylor Swift seven times during an NFL broadcast. Tonight, they showed Trump only once, and just for a few seconds,” John Le Fevre wrote on X, the Daily Mail reported. Others were in agreement.
“I’m amazed NBC showed Trump at the game,” one user wrote. “It was very brief, but you know it killed NBC to have to acknowledge Trump’s presence. But if it was Taylor Swift, they would have dedicated a 3-minute segment to it.” Another wrote, “Taylor Swift is shown by NBC Sports at least five times a quarter. But a U.S. President is only shown once for a span of three seconds. Pathetic.” Conservative activist Charlie Kirk obtained and posted footage of the crowd applauding President Trump, saying it was the “actual footage of the Steelers game tonight NBC won’t show you.
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Despite having Swift on the Chiefs train, not all of the team’s family members are on board with her decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. Brittany Mahomes, the wife of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has been vocal about her support for Trump, prompting the Republicans to single out her praise. “I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me, and the fact that MAGA is the greatest and most powerful Political Movement in the History of our now Failing Country,” he wrote back in September. “With Crime and Illegal Immigration totally out of control, INFLATION Ravaging all Americans, and a World that is laughing at the stupidity of our hapless ‘leaders,’ it is nice to see someone who loves our Country, and wants to save it from DOOM. What a great couple – See you both at the Super Bowl!
President Trump’s football blitz is smart politics in his pitch to win over young men with spotty voting histories. He has appeared at events or on podcasts about comedy, wrestling, and professional fighting all in a bid to siphon crucial youth votes away from Harris or bring them off the sidelines. And by rooting for the Steelers, who prevailed over the New York Jets in a 37-15 showing on Sunday, he is making clear his affinity for the home team of Pennsylvania, the critical swing state that will likely go to November’s winner.
