Despite spending millions of dollars to attend the Super Bowl, Donald Trump got out of the stadium before the game was over.
Attending the Super Bowl in the United States can be a pricey affair, with even the most budget-friendly nosebleed seats costing a pretty penny. But when it comes to someone like Donald Trump, it’s safe to say that no one else has likely spent more to witness Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance and watch the Eagles take down the Chiefs’ dynasty. While many fans shelled out hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands for the experience, Trump’s tab was much higher. It’s estimated that the President of the United States spent between $15 million and $20 million to attend, covering expenses like Secret Service costs, air travel, a motorcade, stadium security modifications, and the additional expenses for local law enforcement.
Despite being the first sitting president to ever attend the Super Bowl, Trump didn’t stick around for the whole game. According to flight trackers, he left early, around 8:00 PM local time, which just so happened to coincide with Lamar’s halftime performance. This has led to widespread speculation online about the reasons behind his early departure.
One theory that gained significant traction on Twitter was that Trump left the Super Bowl early because he was upset about the Kansas City Chiefs losing to the Philadelphia Eagles. While Trump has never openly declared which team he supports, his comments leading up to the game hinted at some level of optimism about the Chiefs. He notably mentioned Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and how she was rumored to be a fan of Trump. This sparked speculation that his early exit was tied to the Chiefs’ struggles during the game, especially given his apparent good vibes toward the team.
When asked about Trump’s presence at the Super Bowl, Travis Kelce, the exceptional tight-end player for the Kansas City Chiefs, expressed that it was truly “an honor” to perform in front of any president. Kelce’s response reflected the significance of having the President of the United States at such a monumental event, highlighting his appreciation for the occasion despite the tension surrounding the game.
A fan took to the internet to share a picture of Travis Kelce with a caption that poked fun at the situation: “Imagine saying ‘it’s an honor’ for Trump to watch you play at the Super Bowl, only for him to leave early because you were getting destroyed so badly.” The caption ended with a loud “LOOOOOOOOOOOFEEERRRRRR!” as a jab at the Chiefs’ loss. Unfortunately for Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs, their hopes for a third consecutive Super Bowl win were dashed as they were defeated 40-22 by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Second theory: Another theory making the rounds suggests that Donald Trump might have been insulted by the halftime performance by Kendrick Lamar, which could have played a role in his early departure. The theory speculates that the President might not have appreciated the performance or certain elements of it, prompting him to leave before the game concluded.
Many fans pointed out moments from Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance that seemed to be direct protests against Donald Trump. Although the focus initially shifted to Lamar’s jabs at fellow rapper Drake, one particular line stood out: “The revolution is about to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy.” The lyric was adjusted at the start of the performance, and fans quickly took note. One Twitter user commented: “Kendrick Lamar insulted Donald Trump and demonstrated against the United States of America in front of him, and Trump became so frightened that he left the Super Bowl early. It’s impossible to imagine anything more perfect.”
Another fan echoed the sentiment, writing, “Kendrick knew Trump was present, and he kept going anyway. Epic.” Lamar also made a reference to the promise of “forty acres and a mule”, a historic pledge made to liberated slaves by a Union General. To further emphasize the protest, Lamar even had Samuel L. Jackson appear dressed as “Uncle Sam.”
Third theory: Perhaps, the reason for Trump’s early departure wasn’t as dramatic as some fans believe. A more mundane explanation could be logistical. With the president’s tight schedule, there might have been a planned exit time to manage other commitments, regardless of the game’s outcome or the halftime show.
In response to those who noted that Trump had already boarded Air Force One before the game ended, one fan pointed out: “Not just Trump. All U.S. presidents leave major events like this early. If he stayed until the end and left at the same time as everyone else, imagine the security nightmare for the Secret Service! With roads closed for the motorcade, it’s actually better for everyone if he departs earlier than expected. It’s doing the crowd a favor.”
This insight suggests that, rather than any specific reason tied to the game or performance, Trump’s early departure was likely a routine logistical decision aimed at ensuring security and minimizing disruption to the event.
