Donald Trump and the NFL
President Donald Trump speaks during the campaign event for U.S. Sen. Darline Graham on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
With the midterm elections rapidly approaching, United States President Donald Trump is doing his best to galvanize his constituents in support of his Republican Party. On Wednesday, the President gave a speech at the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas.
Unfortunately for the President and the Republicans, Wednesday night was also the opening night of the NFL season, with the Seattle Seahawks beating the New England Patriots 13-10. Undeterred, the President took to his Truth Social social media website after teh event to declare that the convention was a bigger success than the Seahawks-Patriots game.
“The Republican Midterm Convention last night, in Dallas, was a major, sold out hit, far bigger, better, and more important than anyone thought possible. It was really something, streaming all over the place, and really big numbers, despite going up against the NFL,” Trump posted. “The overall numbers beat the NFL. The Arena, which was really nice, beat its own attendance records. The place was packed! There were thousands of people outside who couldn’t get in. Screens were provided. I guess people LOVE TRUMP POLITICS! I’ll be there again tonight to close out the show.
Exciting ‘Stuff!’ MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
“No Trump bump”
Unfortunately for the President, he got things completely wrong, per Vanity Fair’s Aidan McLaughlin.
“A little shocked by how low the ratings are for Trump’s midterm convention speech. Fox News drew 2.5 million viewers for it, which is about what Hannity averages on a normal night. No Trump bump,” McLaughlin posted on X.
A little shocked by how low the ratings are for Trump’s midterm convention speech. Fox News drew 2.5 million viewers for it, which is about what Hannity averages on a normal night. No Trump bump. pic.twitter.com/3Rstl7fTYb
— Aidan McLaughlin (@aidnmclaughlin) September 10, 2026
To put things into perspective, per The Mirror, the 2025 FNL opener averaged 28.3 million viewers across platforms, while the 2024 game drew 29.2 million. Even in the most bearish of estimates, this year’s opener will decimate Midterm Convention’s viewership. The President’s detractors on social media wasted no time in getting on his case.
“The NFL kicked off last night, and Donald Trump ranted, raved, lied, and begged for votes last night, which was pretty boring,” Occupy Democrats executive editor Grant Stern posted on X.
“Everyone has heard quite enough,” someone else posted.
“You really [expletive] things up that bad… You turned your back on everyone and now that things are desperate, you turn around to find no one left but the sycophants…. and that won’t be enough,” another person added.
Trump went up against the NFL again on Thursday night, delivering the convention’s closing speech while the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams faced off in Australia. It’s hard to imagine Thursday’s results going any differently.
San Francisco 49ers president Jed York before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
San Francisco 49ers president Jed York before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
LSU Tigers helmet
LSU Tigers helmet