President Donald Trump made a surprising appearance on the Pat McAfee Show but the host was quick to try and get ahead of a potential backlash coming in his direction
14:17 ET, 11 Nov 2025Updated 14:17 ET, 11 Nov 2025
Pat McAfee
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Pat McAfee made a statement to get ahead of any backlash after Donald Trump appeared on his show(Image: ESPN/The Pat McAfee Show)
Pat McAfee immediately tried to get ahead of any potential backlash for President Donald Trump's appearance on his show as he made an instant statement defending himself.
Trump made a shock appearance in the FOX Sports broadcast booth during Sunday's game between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions. But FOX was slammed for allowing him a platform in the middle of the game.
The controversy came after FOX had interrupted its NFL coverage to bring tragic breaking news before the President's arrival. Less than 48 hours later, Trump was back on a sports platform and instantly explained the only reason he went on McAfee's hit show on ESPN.
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McAfee pre-empted backlash coming his way and made a statement to explain Trump's involvement. He also revealed a Veterans Day offer had been extended to former PResident Barack Obama.
“OK, that’s outrageous," McAfee said as soon as Trump hung up the phone. "That was not an impressionist, it was actually Mr President.
“I would like to say though, for the immediate people that are going to be mad about that happening, as President of the United States, its Veterans Day, he’s Commander in Chief, obviously if we have the opportunity to talk to him we’re going to.
“And he is hilarious. ‘It’s demeaning to the game’, ‘are they even allowed to do that?’. Gotta be the only President that’s acted the way he is.
Trump was at an NFL game at the weekend watching the Commanders host the Lions
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Trump was at an NFL game at the weekend watching the Commanders host the Lions
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“I’d like to say that as soon as we found out this was an opportunity, I reached out to President Obama as well, and his team, to potentially come on. Because of scheduling and conflicts, they were very kind and obviously sent incredible hope for the veterans.
“But because the schedule, wasn’t able to do that. But I did reach out to President Obama, as well, and his team, got a chance to get hold of him, I think there’s a chance that conversation gets to happen later.
“But on that note, aside from politics, we just had the president on during Veterans Day, and listening to him talk about sports is cool, because I think he is a legit sports fan.”