Ravens Coach John Harbaugh Defends Trump White House Visit as 'Amazing' Family Moment

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh didn’t hold back when a reporter tried to spin his recent White House visit with President Donald Trump into a negative narrative. Addressing the media during training camp on Wednesday, Harbaugh took issue with the framing of a question that referenced Trump’s past criticisms of Baltimore. Instead of taking the bait, he flipped the script with a dose of optimism.

"How about asking, ‘You got to visit the president, man. What was that like?’" Harbaugh countered. "It was amazing. I root for our president to succeed, just like I root for my quarterback and my team. It’s a rare honor to be invited as a family, and I cherished every moment."

Harbaugh wasn’t alone in the visit earlier this month. His brother, Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, along with several family members, joined in the experience. Reflecting on the trip, John shared how it added to his collection of presidential encounters, having previously met Joe Biden (as vice president in Iraq), Barack Obama (twice), and even Ronald Reagan decades ago as a young man alongside Jim, who was a Heisman Trophy candidate at the time.

"Jim’s got me beat—he’s met seven presidents to my four," Harbaugh noted with a grin. "He made sure I knew that."

Jim Harbaugh also spoke warmly of the visit last week, emphasizing the personal touch. "President Trump was incredibly kind to my mom and dad, and that meant the world," he said. "Who turns down a White House invite with eight family members? No one."

These moments, John added, are treasures—pictures of meeting Reagan still hang in his office. Beyond politics, it’s clear the Harbaugh brothers see these encounters as milestones of family and history, not controversy.