This Sunday, history will be made at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. President Donald Trump will attend the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the first sitting President ever to step foot in the iconic Caesars Superdome during the championship matchup. While this is an exciting milestone for Trump and for the NFL, the decision is also raising serious concerns over security—especially considering the volatile mix of politics, sport, and star-studded attention.

A Presidential First at the Super Bowl

A White House official confirmed that Trump will be attending Super Bowl LIX, a significant first in NFL history. While sitting U.S. vice-presidents, like Al Gore and George H.W. Bush, have attended past Super Bowls, no sitting President has ever been part of the action—until now. Trump’s attendance could change the landscape of future Super Bowls, with his presence likely to draw additional media attention and public scrutiny.

Adding to the spectacle, Trump will also sit down for a pre-recorded interview that will air as part of Fox’s pregame show. This marks a major shift for the President, who has been a vocal critic of the NFL over the years. His relationship with the League has been strained since he tried to buy two NFL teams (the Baltimore Colts in 1981 and the Buffalo Bills in 2014), only to face rejection. In fact, a former NFL Commissioner reportedly told Trump, “As long as I or my heirs are involved in the NFL, you will never be a franchise owner.”

Trump vs. the NFL: A Complicated History

Trump’s relationship with the NFL has always been a complicated one. During his first term as President, he publicly disinvited the Philadelphia Eagles from visiting the White House after their 2018 Super Bowl victory. The controversy stemmed from the Eagles’ players showing support for Colin Kaepernick’s protests during the National Anthem. Trump cited the team’s refusal to “stand proudly” for the Anthem as a reason for the disinvitation, which became a bitter political and social flashpoint.

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Trump has also been outspoken about the NFL’s declining ratings, blaming players’ protests for the dip in viewership. In a 2018 tweet, he remarked, “If the players stood proudly for our Flag and Anthem, maybe ratings could come back? Otherwise worse!” This anti-NFL sentiment may have made Trump’s decision to attend Super Bowl LIX seem unexpected to many.

Security Concerns: A Nightmare for Authorities?

While the significance of Trump attending the Super Bowl is undeniable, the security concerns surrounding his presence are hard to ignore. The game itself is already a high-profile event with a massive security presence, but having a sitting President in the mix ramps up the challenge exponentially. Given the large crowds, the heightened attention, and the many VIPs attending, keeping the President safe—both inside the stadium and en route to and from the game—will require careful planning and coordination.

The Secret Service will undoubtedly play a crucial role in ensuring Trump’s security, but the complexity of managing such an event with the additional layers of presidential protection could create logistical headaches. The NFL is known for attracting a wide array of celebrities, athletes, and politicians, but the addition of a sitting President may require entirely new protocols to be established, adding further stress to an already tight security operation.

Who Will Trump Support: Chiefs or Eagles?

Though Trump’s appearance at the Super Bowl will undoubtedly draw attention for reasons other than the game itself, there’s also the question of which team he will support. After the Chiefs and Eagles won their respective championship games, Trump tweeted congratulations to the Chiefs but pointedly avoided extending the same message to the Eagles—likely due to the lingering bad blood from their 2018 White House controversy.

It’s safe to assume that Trump will be rooting for the Chiefs come Sunday, but with his history of unpredictability, anything could happen.

A Historic Super Bowl

Whether you’re watching for the game itself or to witness the historic moment of a sitting President attending the Super Bowl, one thing is certain: Super Bowl LIX will be unlike any other. With heightened security, celebrity drama, and a political twist, this year’s game promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, both on and off the field. Will the Chiefs reign supreme? Will Trump make a statement? Stay tuned—history is about to unfold in the most unexpected of ways.