Donald Trump’s Early Exit from the Super Bowl and the Controversy That Followed
Super Bowl LIX was a night of excitement, history, and heated debates—both on and off the field. Among the notable moments was the presence of President Donald Trump, marking the first time a sitting U.S. president attended the championship game. However, while his attendance made headlines, it was his early departure and post-game comments that sparked the most discussion.
A Historic Super Bowl Appearance
On February 9, 2025, Trump arrived at the Superdome in New Orleans, joining an electrified crowd eager to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles. He was photographed standing for the national anthem alongside New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson and his daughter, Ivanka Trump.
Despite the historic nature of his attendance, Trump left the stadium before the fourth quarter, well before the Eagles secured a dominant 40-22 victory over the Chiefs. His decision to leave early quickly became a hot topic across social media.
Speculation Surrounding His Early Departure
Critics were quick to point out that Trump had publicly backed the Chiefs before the game. When they fell behind, some speculated that he left to avoid witnessing their defeat.
“Donald Trump just left the Super Bowl early after watching KC get walloped after saying he was rooting for them. So much winning,” one social media user quipped.
Another user mocked Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce’s pre-game remarks: “Imagine saying ‘it’s an honor’ for Trump to watch you play at the Super Bowl only for him to leave early cause y’all were getting beat so bad.”
However, others defended his exit, noting the logistical nightmare of keeping a sitting president in a packed stadium until the very end.
“Trump was always slated to leave early. Imagine the security headache if he stayed until the final whistle,” one user pointed out.
Government records later confirmed that his departure at 8:05 p.m. Central Time had been scheduled in advance, as part of a highly coordinated security operation. Given that a stadium exit for a high-profile political figure requires extensive planning, it wasn’t unusual for Trump to leave before the masses.
The Cost of Attending the Big Game
While debates swirled about Trump’s early departure, the event itself came with a hefty price tag—not just for the audience, but for taxpayers. Estimates suggest that his 3.5-hour visit cost between $10 to $20 million in security and travel expenses.
As for fans, attending the game was no small financial feat. The cheapest tickets, located in the upper levels, started at $2,920 on resale sites like StubHub and Ticketmaster. On average, tickets sold for around $8,076 leading up to the game, while premium seats near the Chiefs’ sideline ranged from $8,650 to a staggering $22,663 just a week before kickoff.
Trump’s Biggest Complaint About the Super Bowl
Despite all the controversy surrounding his presence at the game, Trump later revealed what he considered the worst part of the Super Bowl—an unexpected rule change.
Taking to Truth Social after the game, he blasted the NFL’s newly implemented kickoff format, which prevents the kicking team from advancing until the receiving team touches the ball. The rule, introduced to reduce high-impact collisions, has been met with mixed reactions from players and fans.
“The worst part of the Super Bowl, by far, was watching the kickoff where, as the ball is sailing through the air, the entire field is frozen, stiff,” Trump wrote. “College football doesn’t do it, and won’t! Whose idea was it to ruin the game?”
His frustration with the rule wasn’t new. Weeks earlier, during an appearance on the Let’s Go! podcast with Jim Gray and Bill Belichick, he expressed his disapproval, saying, “I watch football now and I see that kickoff, and it looks weird to me.”
The NFL introduced the change to address a decline in kickoff returns and reduce injury risks, but Trump remained unconvinced. “When you have something good, you don’t change it. I don’t see why it’s safer,” he questioned.
A Super Bowl Full of Drama
Beyond Trump’s early exit and criticism of the rule changes, Super Bowl LIX had no shortage of drama. The Eagles’ victory prevented the Chiefs from making history as the first NFL team to achieve a three-peat. Meanwhile, off the field, pop star Taylor Swift’s presence to support Travis Kelce drew mixed reactions from the crowd, with some reports of boos circulating online.
The halftime show, headlined by Kendrick Lamar, also became a hot topic, particularly amid speculation surrounding his ongoing feud with rapper Drake.
A Night to Remember—For Many Reasons
Philadelphia’s victory secured their second Super Bowl title and put an end to the Chiefs’ hopes of dominating the NFL for a third consecutive year. But beyond the game itself, the event became a spectacle of off-field drama, historic moments, and heated debates.
From Trump’s record-breaking attendance and controversial exit to Swift’s reception and Kelce’s on-field struggles, Super Bowl LIX was about more than just football. It was a night of entertainment, high stakes, and conversations that extended well beyond the final score.
As for Trump, his presence ensured that, like many moments in his political career, his impact on the night would be remembered—whether for his early departure, his frustration with NFL rule changes, or simply for making history as the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl.