Supporters of Donald Trump blasted ESPN after the network aired a message from the president during the college football national championship on Monday.
Trump appeared on ESPN's coverage during halftime of the CFP final between Ohio State and Notre Dame.
It happened just hours after he was sworn in for a second term as president, following victory over Kamala Harris in the November election.
Trump told viewers that “America's golden age is just beginning.” He also congratulated both Notre Dame and Ohio State – “two great teams” – on reaching the national championship after a “long season.”
The video message went viral on social media, with many Trump fans mocking ESPN for putting him on their network.
“ESPN is furious that they just had to put on Trump,” one fan wrote on X. “ESPN just played Trump?!? We'll be right back, honey. Wokeness is DEATH,” said another.
Donald Trump delivered a message to football fans during the CFP national championship
His message was broadcast Monday during halftime of Ohio State's game against Notre Dame
“I never thought I'd see Trump on ESPN. Suck it, libs!' added a third. “ESPN – we repeat, ESPN – airs a message from President Trump during halftime of the national championship game,” said another. “This wasn't on the bingo card.”
The 78-year-old is a big fan of college football and in September he was among those in attendance at Alabama's big showdown with Georgia – despite major security concerns following two assassination attempts. “This is really great football,” he said at the time.
Meanwhile, on Monday he spoke to his “great countrymen” and told viewers: “This has been a historic and exciting day for our country.
“In recent years, our people have suffered greatly, but from now on we are going to bring America back. And make it safer, richer and prouder than ever before.
“We will have a nation full of compassion, strength and exceptionalism. By our power and might we will stop wars and lead the world to peace.
'We will be respected and admired again, admired in a way we have not been in many years.
“We will put America first and by doing that, we will make America great again. In less than three months after the election, you've already seen it happen.
“You can feel the excitement and you can see the confidence and spirit returning to our nation.
Trump's message came just hours after he was sworn in for a second term as president
The president congratulated both Ohio State and Notre Dame on reaching the showpiece event
“Together we will lead our country to glorious new heights, America's golden age is just beginning.
“To all the players and fans watching tonight, I know it has been a long and difficult journey. It's been a long season, but you have two great teams.
“Get to work, go out there and fight hard, fight fair and let the better team win. I'll enjoy watching it. Thank you and good night.'
Shortly before the election, Trump would see Ohio State in action, when the Buckeyes visited the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The then-Republican candidate planned to take the action after a rally in Pennsylvania. But the 78-year-old ultimately skipped the game between the two college football powerhouses.
Trump has also been an outspoken critic of the NFL over a recent change to the kickoff rule, which is designed to reduce injuries and encourage players to run the ball back.
“I don't know what they do with the kickoff return in the NFL… it looks so bad, and I noticed they didn't do that in college, and they shouldn't do it either, and I think the NFL should go back,” Trump said in November.
“I doubt it's more dangerous… I think (the NFL) made a terrible mistake with that.”
In September 2024, the president attended Alabama's game against Georgia
Before the election, Trump joined former football players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan on the “Bussin' With The Boys” podcast.
He opened a failed attempt to buy an NFL franchise and lifted the lid on his days playing tight end.
Despite claiming he could “catch the ball well,” Trump said, “I didn't like someone who was lifting weights all day and came from a bad neighborhood and saw me… and they were tackling hard .'
Trump was a three-sport athlete at New York Military Academy and played on the football team for one year.
Ten years ago, meanwhile, the president offered $1 billion in cash to buy the Buffalo Bills after the death of founder and Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson.
Trump was one of three known finalists, with a group led by rock star Jon Bon Jovi also showing interest in taking over the team.
