Donald Trump was serenaded with chants of ‘USA’ by adoring football fans after arriving to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New York Jets.
As Sunday night’s game kicked off, Trump could be seen disembarking his private jet after touching down in Pittsburgh, where controversial former NFL star Antonio Brown was bizarrely waiting to greet him on the tarmac.
And after making his way to Acrisure Stadium, the Republican leader lapped up a huge ovation from the home crowd as he stood up and waved to fans through the window of his private suite.
He even appeared to join when Steelers fans began chanting ‘USA’ while turning around and facing him in his box, before eventually taking his seat to enjoy the NFL action.
Trump has been spending time in western Pennsylvania this weekend as he tries to win back the state that went his way in 2016 but flipped blue in 2020 in next month’s election.
Donald Trump waved to adoring fans after arriving at the Jets-Steelers game in Pittsburgh
He jetted to Pittsburgh on Sunday after a rally in Lancaster to watch some NFL action
At a rally in Latrobe on Saturday, he brought out former Steelers wide receiver Brown to endorse him on stage.
Brown, who left Pittsburgh when he was traded to Las Vegas in 2018, mocked Democrat candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz when addressing the crowd, before helping register Trump voters at Acrisure Stadium prior to Sunday’s game.
Nevertheless, Trump is taking time out of his election campaign to enjoy some NFL action tonight.
It is a pivotal one, too, with both the Steelers and the Jets in desperate need of a victory in Week 7.
Russell Wilson is poised to make his first competitive appearance at quarterback for Pittsburgh after replacing Justin Fields as starter in a controversial move by head coach Mike Tomlin.
New York, meanwhile, heads into the game on the back of a three-game skid, though new wide receiver Davante Adams is gearing up for his debut back alongside legendary quarterback and good friend Aaron Rodgers.
Fans could be heard serenading the former president with chants of ‘USA’ in his private suite
Trump has been spending time in western Pennsylvania this weekend ahead of the election
The Republican leader was seen walking off his private jet as the big game kicked off
Trump was bizarrely greeted on the tarmac by ex-NFL star Antonio Brown after touching down
It remains to be seen whether Trump crosses paths again with Rodgers, who could have been his political rival after nearly becoming Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate for the election earlier this year.
Entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan eventually got the job but the Jets star said: ‘I love Bobby. We had a couple really nice conversations.’
Rodgers has developed a close relationship with Kennedy Jr. in recent years, with both men notably skeptic of vaccines.
He has previously bumped into Trump, shaking hands at UFC event earlier this year after fans initially claimed the former President had snubbed him.
The Steelers sent a message to their fans ahead of Trump’s visit for their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Jets.
As the team coordinated with officials to get their security all set before the contest, the team informed supporters of logistical plans for the game.
Brown, who attended a Trump rally in Pennsylvania Saturday, was waiting for the 78-year-old
Trump could be seen speaking with him after walking off his private jet in Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets are taking on the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday evening
‘With former President Trump expected to attend Sunday night’s game as a guest of an individual suite holder, we are working with Secret Service and local authorities to ensure the safety and security of all our fans,’ the team’s statement read.
‘As always we will work to make the fan experience the same as it always is for every Steelers’ home game at Acrisure Stadium.
‘We encourage fans to arrive early to the parking lots and to the gates so that they can enjoy our pregame experience and our celebrations throughout the game that will honor the 50th anniversary of our Super Bowl IX team.’
