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Former President Donald Trump visited Philadelphia on Saturday alongside Elon Musk for the concluding day of the NCAA Division I men’s wrestling championships held at the Wells Fargo Center. This marks Trump’s second appearance at the wrestling championships within a three-year timeframe.
Upon his arrival at the South Philadelphia venue, the crowd erupted with cheers and chants of U.S.A., as Penn State aimed to secure its fourth consecutive team title.
Clay Travis from Outkick also traveled on Air Force One with Trump as part of a new media initiative from the White House to amplify engagement. The announcement of his attendance created a buzz on social media, prompting Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to respond enthusiastically, stating, “See you this weekend!”
Before heading to Philadelphia, Trump spent the previous night at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey, about 70 miles from the city, marking one of his initial trips there during his second term.
As he departed the White House on Friday evening, Trump expressed his excitement for the event, saying, “We’re going to the big fight. The reason I’m going is in Philadelphia. They have the NCAA, world, wrestling for college. And I’ve always supported the wrestlers.” His commitment to supporting college athletes was evident as he highlighted the talent represented at the championships.
Upon arriving at the Philadelphia airport, Trump was greeted by Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, and was later joined in the arena by Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick and U.S. Representative Jim Jordan, who sat in close proximity to Musk and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
The NCAA championships spanned from Thursday through Saturday, with programming available on ESPN and ESPN+. The finals are scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m., while an interactive fan experience named Phan-X will take place at Lincoln Financial Field on both Friday and Saturday.
Trump’s Engagement with Sporting Events
Trump’s appearance at the NCAA championships follows his attendance at the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans, where the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 40-22. The Eagles are set to celebrate their victory at the White House on April 28. Notably, Trump was the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl.
Additionally, he made an appearance at the Daytona 500 earlier this year, although bad weather forced him to leave before the event concluded. His appreciation for sports has also been demonstrated through his attendance at college football games and mixed martial arts (MMA) events.
Trump’s Historical Ties to Philadelphia
Recently, the White House announced plans to reduce federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania, an institution that holds significance for Trump, who graduated from The Wharton School in 1968. This funding cut is reportedly linked to the controversy surrounding Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete who received significant media attention while competing.
Throughout his 2024 campaign, Trump frequently campaigned in Philadelphia, ultimately winning the state of Pennsylvania and securing victories in five of the city’s 66 wards.
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