President-elect Trump took within the Military-Navy soccer recreation with an influence posse that included his operating mate, the world’s richest man, a number of cupboard hopefuls and a newly cleared subway hero from New York Metropolis.
The soon-to-be forty seventh president arrived on the a hundred and twenty fifth version of the sport Saturday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, lower than 15 miles from the White Home. Trump was joined in a collection by his operating mate, Vice President-elect JD Vance; Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson; incoming Senate Majority Chief John Thune, Elon Musk, nominee for Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s selection for director of nationwide intelligence, and Daniel Penny, who was not too long ago acquitted of fees within the loss of life of subway menace Jordan Neely.
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President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance attend the a hundred and twenty fifth Military-Navy soccer recreation at Northwest Stadium Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photographs)
Navy received the sport, 31-13, behind quarterback Blake Horvath, who handed for 2 touchdowns and ran for 2 extra. The Midshipmen raised their report to 9-3, whereas the loss dropped Military to 11-2. Each groups have had robust seasons. Navy will face Oklahoma within the Armed Forces Bowl, and Military is slated to play within the Independence Bowl, though no opponent has been introduced since Marshall dropped out.
However as massive a narrative as the sport itself was the VIP spectators. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Navy veteran who has been floated as a potential alternate to Hegseth ought to his affirmation fail, was seen on the sidelines.
In the course of the nationwide anthem, Trump saluted together with the service members in attendance.
Trump attended the annual rivalry recreation all through his presidency, first attending in 2016 shortly after successful that 12 months’s election. He additionally was on the recreation throughout annually of his presidency, together with in 2020 at West Level.
Saturday marked his sixth time on the recreation since 2016 and his first since 2020. All through his presidency, he can be on the sector for pregame occasions, together with the coin toss.
For the primary time, each applications entered the sport with a mixed 19 wins (Military is 11-1, whereas Navy is 8-3).
(L-R) Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson (R-LA), Nationwide Intelligence Director nominee former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and Protection Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth attend the a hundred and twenty fifth Military-Navy soccer recreation at Northwest Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photographs)
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Penny was acquitted earlier this week in a racially charged trial. He might have confronted as much as 15 years in jail if convicted of probably the most critical cost, however ultimately was discovered not responsible by a jury that believed he acted to defend fellow subway riders when he put Neely in a deadly chokehold. He attended as a visitor of Vance.
With Military enjoying within the American Athletic Convention this season, each groups have hung out within the High 25. This will probably be their first assembly this season and will probably be a non-conference recreation.
Outdoors of bragging rights for his or her respective army academies, this 12 months’s recreation marks the primary time since 2017 the winner may have an opportunity to safe the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, because of wins by Military and Navy over Air Power this season. It additionally marks the primary time since 2017 that each groups enter the matchup having clinched spots in bowl video games.
Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson (R-LA), U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Vice President-elect JD Vance attend the a hundred and twenty fifth Military-Navy soccer recreation at Northwest Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photographs)
Military received its first convention title earlier this month after a win over Tulane within the AAC championship recreation to enhance to 11-1. However that accomplishment pales compared to what’s at stake Saturday.
Fox Information’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
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