Trump Welcomed Loudly at NCAA Wrestling Championships: A Presidential Pin

President Donald Trump made a lively appearance at the final rounds of the 2024-25 NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia on Saturday. Walking into the Wells Fargo Center, the former president was greeted warmly by wrestling fans chanting "USA! USA!"—though not everyone was thrilled, as a few boos echoed in the arena. Classic Trump effect, right?

Trump didn’t just spectate; he engaged. Shaking hands and snapping photos with victorious wrestlers added a personal touch to his attendance. He wasn’t alone either. Among the notable figures in the crowd were Elon Musk, OutKick founder Clay Travis, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Education Secretary Linda McMahon—famous for her WWE roots—House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Sen. Dave McCormick.

As Trump continues his tour of high-profile sporting events, he told reporters on Friday, "We’re going to the big fight. I’ve always supported wrestlers. These are the great college wrestlers from the various schools. Penn State is leading, and Nebraska is in second place right now." Well, it’s clear the man knows his stats.

Clay Travis had broken the news earlier in the week, revealing via X (formerly Twitter) that Trump would be traveling aboard Air Force One to the championships. The White House later confirmed the news, and Senator McCormick shared his own excitement, reminiscing about his wrestling days in Pennsylvania and at West Point while praising the sport’s lessons of grit and resilience.

This wasn’t Trump’s first time at the NCAA wrestling championships; he also attended in 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The former president seems to have a knack for showing up at major sporting events, doubling as both a fan and a headline-grabber.

From the Daytona 500 to the Super Bowl, Trump’s sports-focused presidency has become a spectacle. He even brought his signature flair to UFC 309, sitting cage-side as Jon Jones celebrated his victory with a nod to Trump’s dance move and handed over his championship belt for the president to hold. If this isn’t branding genius, I don’t know what is.

Whether at the Army-Navy game or on the wrestling mats, Trump’s ability to blend politics with sports entertainment continues to stir up the crowd—sometimes with cheers, sometimes with jeers, but always with attention.