President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the game between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
During the University of Alabama-Louisiana State University game, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received enthusiastic cheers and chants when their presence was brought to the attention of the crowd.
The Trumps attended the event at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, watching LSU defeat Alabama 46-41.
A general view as President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the game between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the game between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The president and first lady sat in the box with several prominent elected officials, including Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.).
Byrne is running against former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who represented Alabama for a number of years before he became Trump’s attorney general. Both Republican candidates are looking to unseat Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.), who took office in 2018.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the game between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
According to AL.com, Trump’s introduction was planned for the game’s first timeout. When the game went to a commercial, Trump rose from his chair and drew applause and cheers from the crowd.
Republican National Committee Spokesperson Kevin Knoth issued a statement as the game started.
“Much like the scene at today’s football game, Doug Jones’s far-left agenda in Alabama consistently puts the Democrat on the outside looking in while President Trump can always be found in the arena fighting and boosting the Yellowhammer State to new heights,” he told AL.com.
Trump won 63 percent of the Alabama vote during the 2016 election.
“I love Alabama,” Trump stated on Friday ahead of the game, according to Fox News. “I’m going to go watch a very good football game, which is tomorrow with LSU, and it’s going to be great.”
Alabama head coach Nick Saban also reacted to Trump’s arrival.
“Well, it’s an honor, I think, that the president of the United States would be interested enough to come to the game,” Nick Saban said Wednesday, reported the Montgomery Adviser. “I’m sure we’ll do everything we can to welcome him.”
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow said it’s “pretty cool” to have a president watch him play.
“Regardless of your political views, it’s pretty cool having the president at the game,” Burrow, a 22-year-old senior, said at a press conference last week. “Doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or a Republican, president at the game is pretty cool.”
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
