President-elect Donald Trump made a grand entrance at Washington’s beloved Army-Navy football game, surrounded by key allies who are set to join his administration as he prepares to take the reins at the White House once again.
Seated in his box at the stadium were Vice President-elect JD Vance, along with his picks for top positions in his administration. Tulsi Gabbard, who has been chosen as the director of national intelligence, Pete Hegseth, the incoming secretary of Defense, and Mike Waltz, who will serve as national security adviser, were all by Trump’s side. Also in attendance was Elon Musk, who has been selected by Trump to establish a Department of Government Efficiency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, once a critic of Trump who has now become a staunch ally, was present at the game as well. DeSantis, who was reportedly considered as a backup for defense secretary in case Hegseth faces obstacles in his Senate confirmation, joined the festivities.
One notable guest in Trump’s box was Daniel Penny, a Marine Corps veteran who was recently acquitted of homicide charges after a fatal altercation with a subway rider named Jordan Neely. Penny was invited by Vance to attend the game.
President-elect Trump has a history of attending the Army-Navy game, having made appearances at the annual clash between the Black Knights of West Point and the Midshipmen of Annapolis both during his transition period in 2016 and throughout his first term in office.
Despite facing criticism for his remarks on military personnel, veterans, and their families, Trump has enjoyed strong support from the military community. In the 2024 election, veterans overwhelmingly favored Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, as reported by Pew Research.
Ahead of the game, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on drones in the vicinity of the stadium following reports of drone sightings in the Northeast. Unsubstantiated claims of an “Iranian mothership” controlling the drones circulated, which the Pentagon promptly dismissed. Trump even suggested shooting down the drones as a precaution.
As the excitement of the Army-Navy game unfolded, Trump and his allies enjoyed the camaraderie and competitive spirit of the iconic match-up, setting the stage for a new era in American leadership.
Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing contributed to this report.
