The battle between President Trump and the NFL continues to heat up, with the commander-in-chief issuing yet another warning to the league. This time, he's taking aim at the growing trend of moving games to streaming platforms, arguing it could ultimately destroy the sport's massive fan base.
Trump has never been shy about criticizing the NFL, and his latest remarks come as the league experiments with more digital-only broadcasts. In a recent interview, he warned that the shift could be a huge mistake, especially for working-class fans who can't afford the rising costs.
“It’s tough,” Trump said during a conversation with Full Measure. “You’ve got people that love football. They’re great people. They don’t make enough money to go and pay this. It’s tough. And they could be killing the golden goose.”
The president doubled down on his concerns, saying the NFL risks losing its loyal audience if it continues down this path. “They have to be careful because, you know, others have tried this, and all of a sudden you don’t have a sport anymore,” he warned. “There’s something very sad when they take football away from many, many people. Very sad. I don’t like it.”
Trump didn't offer a specific solution, but he made it clear that he thinks the league should prioritize accessibility over profit. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I don’t like it. I don’t like it. They’re making a lot of money. They could make a little bit less. They could let the people see. You have people that live for Sunday. They live — they can’t think about anything else, and then all of a sudden, they’re gonna have to pay $1,000 a game. It’s crazy. So, I’m not happy about it.”
This isn't the first time Trump has sounded the alarm on the NFL's direction. He's been a vocal critic of the league for more than a decade, dating back to his failed bid to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014. Many doubted he'd get approval from other owners, and he was eventually outbid by Terry Pegula.
During the Colin Kaepernick national anthem protests in 2016, Trump called out the league, suggesting it was mishandling the situation. He didn't hold back then, and he hasn't let up since.
More recently, Trump has taken aim at the NFL's new kickoff rule, which was designed to improve safety and encourage more returns. He's called it “ridiculous” and demanded it be scrapped. “I can’t watch the new NFL Kickoff,” he wrote on Truth Social in January. “Like many others, I just turn my head.” After Super Bowl 60, he reiterated his stance, posting, “And, by the way, the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
While Trump's warnings resonate with some fans who share his frustration over streaming costs and rule changes, others argue that the league is simply evolving with the times. The NFL has defended its streaming deals as a way to reach younger audiences, but Trump remains unconvinced.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the president isn't backing down. Whether it's the kickoff rule or the shift to digital, Trump is determined to keep the pressure on the NFL, warning that the league's decisions could have lasting consequences for the sport millions of Americans love.
