Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh brushed off what seemed to be a “gotcha” question from a reporter during a media scrum this week about a month before the kickoff of the 2025 NFL seasion after being pressed to denounce past remarks made by President Donald Trump.
During Wednesday’s training camp session, Harbaugh pushed back when a local reporter asked if he agreed with Trump’s 2019 comments criticizing Baltimore, especially given Harbaugh’s recent visit to the White House. “Why would you frame the question — I would’ve framed that question like, ‘You got a chance to go visit with the president, man. What was that experience like?’” Harbaugh said with a chuckle.
“It was amazing. It was awesome. And I promise you, I root for our president. I want our president to be successful just like I want my quarterback to be successful, and I want my team to be successful,” Harbaugh, who has won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and whose team has been in contention most years since he’s been there, added. (see video below)
During his first term, Trump blasted Baltimore as a “corrupt, rodent-infested mess,” blaming Democratic leadership for the city’s decline and negative national image. At the time, several viral videos circulated showing trash-strewn streets and homeless individuals openly using drugs.
Trump claimed residents were “living in hell” under the leadership of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), who had been sharply criticizing the president in the days leading up to Trump’s remarks. Harbaugh explained his visit, saying he and his brother, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, were honored and proud to accept the invitation to the White House.
“It was an amazing experience. It’s not often you get invited and get a chance to do something like that as a family,” Harbaugh said, the NY Post reports. “We were there, my daughter was there, Jim’s daughters were there. My mom and dad were there. My mom and President Trump — just seeing how he treated her was really meaningful. That’s the fourth president [I’ve met].
“Jim has met seven presidents, so he’s got the lead on me… I had the chance to meet President Obama twice. Incredible experience. Had a chance to meet President Biden, when he was vice president, in Iraq. I spent a lot of time with him in Iraq, which was amazing… So those are moments that I definitely cherish and it means a lot,” he added.
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