President Trump received both cheers and boos when he appeared on the Jumbotron at Neyland Stadium during the Texas-Tennessee game. Seated with Sens. Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn, he pumped his fist at the crowd and left at halftime. The reaction continues a pattern of mixed receptions at major sporting events and highlights political tensions as Republicans approach the 2026 midterms.
Trump Booed — and Cheered — on Neyland Stadium Jumbotron as Midterms Loom
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 26: U.S. President Donald Trump, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) (L) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) appear on a video screen while attending the Texas-Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Trump, who has attended more college football games than any recent sitting president, attended the game between the No. 1 Longhorns and the No. 14. Volunteers, one of the biggest matchups in the country this weekend. (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)Photo by: Tom Brenner / Getty Images
President Donald Trump drew a mixed reception Saturday when his image flashed on the Jumbotron at Neyland Stadium during the No. 1 Texas vs. No. 14 Tennessee college football game in Knoxville.
The sellout crowd of roughly 100,000 produced both enthusiastic cheers and audible boos when Trump appeared on the screen during the first half. Seated in a suite with Tennessee Republican Sens. Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn, Trump responded to the reaction by pumping his fist toward the stands. He left the stadium at halftime.
Part Of A Pattern At Sporting Events
The moment in Knoxville added to a pattern of uneven receptions for Trump at high-profile sporting events. Media coverage and previous appearances have recorded similar reactions: boos at portions of the crowd during the NBA Finals in June, jeers at the 2019 World Series introduction, and segments of the audience booing at other major games, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Some of Trump’s visits to college football games have brought enthusiastic support — for example, appearances at the 2019 Alabama-LSU game and the 2024 Georgia-Alabama matchup — while other college venues have produced more negative responses, such as the 2023 Clemson-South Carolina game.
Political Overtones
Saturday’s split reaction came as Republicans head into the final stretch before the 2026 midterm elections. While Trump remains popular with much of the Republican base, his party is confronting a challenging political environment: concerns about the economy, rising costs and questions about the administration’s handling of the conflict in Iran have created pressure for GOP candidates heading into November.
The Washington Post spoke with Trump voters at the game who expressed mixed views — some voiced disagreement with specific policies, including the president’s handling of the conflict in Iran, yet still supported him; others said they booed because they did not want the president attending the game.
On the field, Texas defeated Tennessee 20-17. For a president who increasingly includes major sporting events on his public schedule, Saturday’s appearance underscored how reactions can vary sharply depending on the venue, the crowd and the moment. In Knoxville, Trump retained many vocal supporters — but they were not the only voices heard.
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