Trump Joins Key Political Allies at Army-Navy Football Game

December 14, 2024 TruthUSA

The president-elect was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience after making an appearance on the scoreboard video screen.

President-elect Donald Trump attended the Army-Navy football game on December 14, aligning himself with key political figures.

Among those accompanying Trump for the 125th rivalry matchup were Vice President-elect JD Vance, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is rumored to be a potential alternative if Hegseth is not confirmed by the Senate next year.

Also present was Daniel Penny, a former U.S. Marine who was invited by Vance. Penny was recently acquitted of negligent homicide related to the 2023 death of Jordan Neely, which occurred after Neely became upset on a New York subway. Vance claimed that prosecutors in the case attempted to “ruin” Penny’s life by charging him with Neely’s death.

Trump received a warm welcome from the crowd upon his arrival at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, just prior to kickoff. The audience erupted in cheers as Trump, Vance, and Elon Musk, who will head the president-elect’s new Department of Government Efficiency, were shown together on the stadium’s scoreboard screen. Trump’s allies watched the game from a private suite.

After Trump expressed his gratitude by mouthing the words “thank you,” the crowd began chanting “USA, USA!”

Trump has attended Army–Navy games in 2016 and throughout his first term. He has recently increased his public appearances in anticipation of his inauguration next month and joined Vance on Thursday to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year.

Following his victory in the Nov. 5 election, Trump has been focused on assembling the team that will lead his second administration from his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Despite Hegseth facing backlash due to allegations of sexual assault that emerged shortly after his nomination was announced, Trump and his allies remain optimistic about the Senate confirming him. Hegseth has denied the assault allegations, stating he regrettably had a consensual affair and has worked diligently to improve his life since then.

DeSantis, a former Navy lawyer, is reportedly on a list of potential nominees if Hegseth’s nomination does not succeed.

There was a festive atmosphere among Trump and his allies on Saturday.

Just before the game commenced, Hegseth and fellow Army veterans Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for director of intelligence, and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), Trump’s nominee for national security adviser, shared a brief video on X, showcasing their military support for the football event.

“We respect our Navy, except today,” Waltz remarked, as a retired Army National Guard colonel.

Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, exclaimed, “Go Army!”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was also present at the game alongside Trump. Johnson was joined by incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Pennsylvania Senator-elect David McCormick.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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