NBC devoted only a few fleeting seconds to covering former President Donald Trump’s attendance at a Sunday night Pittsburgh Steelers game that the network was broadcasting, prompting some fans to cry foul, especially in light of its extensive coverage of Taylor Swift. During the national broadcast, Trump appeared for less than 10 seconds, waving to the throngs of black-and-yellow-clad Steelers fans. Attendees at the game captured videos of the crowd chanting “USA! USA!” during breaks in the action, none of which were featured in NBC’s brief acknowledgment of his presence.
“The 45th president, Donald Trump, in attendance tonight, the invited guest of one of the suite-holders here,” said commentator Mike Tirico before the network quickly switched to an overhead shot of the packed stadium. Some of Trump’s supporters criticized NBC for being hypocritical. One person pointed out that the network often spends a lot of airtime showing or discussing Taylor Swift when she attends Kansas City Chiefs games to support her boyfriend, tight end Travis Kelce.“On average, NBC shows Taylor Swift seven times during an NFL broadcast. Tonight, they showed Trump only once, and just for a few seconds,” John Le Fevre wrote on X, the Daily Mail reported. Others were in agreement.
“I’m amazed NBC showed Trump at the game,” one user wrote. “It was very brief, but you know it killed NBC to have to acknowledge Trump’s presence. But if it was Taylor Swift, they would have dedicated a 3-minute segment to it.” Another wrote, “Taylor Swift is shown by NBC Sports at least five times a quarter. But a U.S. President is only shown once for a span of three seconds. Pathetic.” Conservative activist Charlie Kirk obtained and posted footage of the crowd applauding President Trump, saying it was the “actual footage of the Steelers game tonight NBC won’t show you.”
Actual footage of the Steelers game tonight NBC won’t show you. pic.twitter.com/iK35jYAiDc
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 21, 2024
Despite having singer Taylor Swift’s support, not all of the Chiefs’ family members agree with her decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. Brittany Mahomes, the wife of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has openly expressed her support for Trump, leading Republicans to highlight her praise. “I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me, and the fact that MAGA is the greatest and most powerful Political Movement in the History of our now Failing Country,” he wrote back in September. “With Crime and Illegal Immigration totally out of control, INFLATION Ravaging all Americans, and a World that is laughing at the stupidity of our hapless ‘leaders,’ it is nice to see someone who loves our Country, and wants to save it from DOOM. What a great couple – See you both at the Super Bowl!”
Trump’s focus on football is a savvy political strategy aimed at winning over young men with inconsistent voting records. He has made appearances at events and on podcasts related to comedy, wrestling, and professional fighting, all in an effort to attract crucial youth votes away from Harris or encourage them to engage in the electoral process. By supporting the Steelers, who defeated the New York Jets 37-15 on Sunday, he is signaling his allegiance to Pennsylvania’s home team, a vital swing state that will likely determine the outcome in November