Trump Attends Army–Navy Football Game With Key Political Allies

(L–R) Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), National Intelligence Director nominee former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth attend the 125th Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Dec. 14, 2024. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

President-elect Donald Trump attended the Army-Navy football game on Dec. 14 while huddling with key political allies.

Those joining Trump for the 125th matchup between the storied college sports rivalry teams included Vice President-elect JD Vance, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is reportedly a potential backup pick if Hegseth isn’t confirmed by the Senate next year.

In attendance was also Daniel Penny, a former U.S. Marine who was invited by Vance. Penny was acquitted last week of negligent homicide in the 2023 death of Jordan Neely, after Neely became agitated on a New York subway. Vance accused prosecutors in the case of trying to “ruin” the veteran’s life by charging him with Neely’s death.

Trump was greeted warmly by the crowd after arriving at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, just before kickoff. The crowd began cheering after Trump, Vance, and Elon Musk, who will lead the president-elect’s new Department of Government Efficiency, appeared together on the stadium’s scoreboard screen. Trump’s group of allies watched the game from a suite.

After Trump mouthed the words “thank you,” the crowd began chanting “USA, USA!”

Trump attended Army–Navy games in 2016 and during his first term. He has increasingly made more public appearances ahead of his inauguration next month, and accompanied Vance on Thursday to ring the New York Stock Exchange opening bell after being named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year.

After winning the Nov. 5 election, Trump has been working at his Mar-a-Lago resort to assemble the team that will help lead his second administration.

While Hegseth has faced pushback after allegations of sexual assault surfaced soon after his nomination was announced, Trump and his allies have appeared hopeful that the Senate will confirm him. Hegseth has denied the assault allegations and said he regrettably had a consensual affair and has worked hard to turn his life around since.

DeSantis, who is a former Navy lawyer, is reportedly on the list of potential replacement nominees if Hegseth’s bid falls flat.

There was a celebratory mood among Trump and his allies on Saturday.

Shortly before the game started, Hegseth and fellow Army veterans Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s director of intelligence nominee, and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), Trump’s national security adviser nominee, posted a short video on X, highlighting their military allegiances for the football matchup.

“We love our Navy, except today,” Waltz said. He is a retired Army National Guard colonel.

Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, said, “Go Army!”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was also at the game with Trump. Johnson was accompanied by incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Pennsylvania Sen.-elect David McCormick.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.