President Donald Trump received an enthusiastic reception Saturday night in deep-blue Philadelphia as he made a surprise appearance at the final rounds of the 2024–25 NCAA wrestling championships. Trump entered the sold-out Wells Fargo Center to chants of “USA, USA!” from the packed crowd of wrestling fans. While a few scattered boos were heard, the overall response was overwhelmingly positive.
The president shook hands with supporters and greeted notable guests, including Penn State wrestling standout and rising UFC star Bo Nickal, who has publicly backed Trump’s return to the White House. Trump also took time to congratulate several wrestlers following their championship wins. A number of high-profile Trump allies and cabinet members were also in attendance, including Elon Musk, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Education Secretary and former WWE executive Linda McMahon, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), and others.
“We’re going to the big fight. … They have the NCAA, world, wrestling for college. And I’ve always supported the wrestlers,” Trump told reporters outside the White House Friday. “So, I want to support them. These are the great college wrestlers from the various schools. I think Penn State is leading, and Nebraska is in second place right now. And a lot of good things.”
Oklahoma State wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson offered a salute to President Donald Trump after pulling off a dramatic upset at the NCAA championship on Saturday night. Hendrickson, a former Air Force standout and current second lieutenant, shared the patriotic moment with the former commander in chief—who was seated mat-side—as he clinched a 5-4 victory over top-ranked Gable Steveson of the University of Minnesota to capture the Heavyweight title.
Draped in an American flag, Hendrickson shook hands and shared a quick hug with the 47th president. In a subsequent interview with ESPN following the encounter, Hendrickson revealed what Trump told him: “He said he was very proud of me.” The 24-year-old added: “He came here to support his troops. I put on a show for him. I wanted that national title.”
The appearance is part of President Trump’s ongoing campaign strategy of attending major sporting events, a tactic that has consistently drawn enthusiastic crowds. In recent months, he’s received warm receptions at both the Super Bowl and the Daytona 500.
In December, Trump attended the 125th Army-Navy game alongside Vice President J.D. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The visit continued Trump’s tradition of attending the annual rivalry game, a practice he maintained throughout his first term in office.
