President Donald Trump’s public appearances have long drawn attention — not just from cameras, but from financial analysts and taxpayers alike. When Trump attended Super Bowl LIX earlier in 2025, independent estimates placed the cost of his presence at $15 million to $20 million.
Now, with his planned attendance at the Lions-Commanders game this weekend, what might the bill look like this time around? Here’s a breakdown of factors and an estimated range.
Cost Drivers from the Super Bowl to Use as a Baseline
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump walks on the field before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump walks on the field before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Despite the government grinding to a halt, Donald Trump’s appearance at the Lions-Commanders game this weekend is drawing as much attention for its timing as for its spectacle. With thousands of federal workers furloughed and critical services slowed, the former president’s high-profile trip to the NFL matchup stands in stark contrast to the turmoil in Washington.
Critics have questioned the optics of a lavish, security-heavy event—complete with motorcades and Secret Service coordination—occurring during a federal shutdown. Supporters, however, argue that Trump’s attendance underscores his connection to “real America” and the working-class fans who fill NFL stadiums each Sunday. Either way, his presence at the game has become a symbol of the divide between political theater and public frustration.
A few things to consider
The flight time for Air Force One alone in the Super Bowl case was estimated at over 300 minutes, costing approximately $927,747 just for the aircraft’s flight-hours.
Security and logistics were assessed at roughly $7 million to $10 million just for the Secret Service and specialized security presence.
Additional stadium and local law enforcement costs (metal detectors, road closures, overtime) in New Orleans were estimated at $2 million to $3 million.
Estimating the Cost for the Lions-Commanders Game
Because the upcoming game is a regular-season NFL matchup — not the Super Bowl — the scale of costs will likely be lower. But the presence of a high-profile figure like Trump still elevates logistics.
Key assumptions for calculation:
Travel: Suppose Trump flies from his base to Washington, D.C. area (for the Commanders’ game), then departs. If Air Force One costs ~$180,000–$200,000 per hour to operate.
Security & logistics: With Trump attending, Secret Service detail, local law enforcement, and stadium security upgrades will intensify, though not to Super Bowl levels.
Venue and timeframe: A regular-season game may involve fewer days of lead-security and fewer attendees for the VIP suite than a championship event.
Estimated cost range:
Lower-bound estimate: ~$4 million – covering travel, core Secret Service detail, modest upgrades.
Upper-bound estimate: ~$8 million – factoring in extended security prep, road closures, VIP entourage, and local law enforcement overtime.
For comparison: At the Super Bowl the cost was estimated at ~$15–20 million. Given regular-season scale, a $5–8 million range feels plausible for this game.
Why Even a “Lower” Number Still Raises Eyebrows
Taxpayer resources: Even millions diverted for one event raise questions about public vs. private benefit.
Attention & optics: With national coverage, every dollar spent gets scrutiny.
Precedent: If high-profile attendance costs jump into the millions even for regular-season games, it sets a pattern.
What to Watch
Will the Secret Service or local government release official figures (or estimates) after the event?
Will media report on traffic/street closures, law enforcement overtime and additional stadium security specific to the visit?
How will public and political reaction shape future decisions about VIP attendance at NFL games?
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