When the camera panned to Donald Trump during the playing of the national anthem, Super Bowl fans were a little upset.
When the Kansas City Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles at the New Orleans Superdome this evening (9 February), the 78-year-old becomes the first sitting US president to attend a Super Bowl.
The camera captured Trump and his daughter Ivanka sitting in the stands as Jon Batiste sang the American anthem loudly in the lead-up to the game.
However, some viewers believed the new president was being taunted by the crowd while the Grammy-winning singer was performing.
One person said, “You guys didn’t boo Donald Trump loud enough.”
“That was pretty s**tty to show Trump during Jon Batiste singing the National Anthem, forced me and half of America to boo,” wrote a second.
Another person commented: “Did they applaud or jeer at Trump? Hard to tell.
“Did they cheer or boo Trump at the #SuperBowlLIX?” echoed another.
The first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl is Donald Trump.
Trump said in a statement prior to the game, “I am excited to be with the fans in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX to support two outstanding teams – the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs – as they compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the National Football League.”
“Their individual journeys are as inspiring as the drive and determination that have brought them to this remarkable moment, and their hard work, dedication, and tenacity are admirable.”
“As we restore safety and fairness in sports and equal opportunities among their teams, they also symbolize the aspirations and hopes of our country’s youth athletes.”
For good reason, football is the most popular sport in America; it unites the country by uniting families, friends, and supporters and enhancing local communities.