It Started With the Anthem, but When Trump Hit the Screen? The Crowd Couldn’t Handle It!

The Super Bowl is always a spectacle, but this year, it became an even bigger moment in history. President Donald Trump made history as the first sitting U.S. president to attend the event in person, making his way to New Orleans for the highly anticipated showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

While Louisiana isn’t exactly considered Trump territory—Orleans Parish leaned heavily toward Kamala Harris in the last election—the response inside the packed Superdome told a different story. The moment Trump’s face appeared on the jumbotron during the national anthem, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. Standing tall, the president saluted the flag as musician Jon Batiste delivered a powerful performance of the anthem.

Meeting with Victims and an Unexpected Handshake

Before the game, Trump made time for a solemn moment, meeting with survivors and families affected by the devastating Bourbon Street terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve. His presence in New Orleans came at a time when the city was still recovering from that tragic night, and security concerns were at an all-time high.

Amid the excitement of game day, one surprising moment caught the attention of many: Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones went out of his way to approach Trump on the field for a handshake. It was a small but significant gesture that underscored Trump’s influence in the sports world.

A City on High Alert After Tragedy

Security has been a major topic in New Orleans following the horrifying New Year’s attack. In the early hours of January 1st, an ISIS-inspired assailant, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, managed to breach Bourbon Street’s police barricades, driving his truck into a crowd of partygoers before crashing into construction equipment and engaging in a shootout with officers.

The city had previously installed security barriers to prevent such attacks, but on that fateful night, they weren’t functioning—allegedly due to maintenance issues and Mardi Gras decorations obstructing them. The revelation that New Orleans police chief Anne Kirkpatrick was unaware of existing security measures only added to public outrage.

Following the attack, the city acted swiftly, placing massive metal barricades called archers at key locations to block vehicle access to Bourbon Street and its sidewalks. With the Super Bowl bringing in massive crowds—and the president in attendance—security was on another level, with a heavy National Guard presence and police checkpoints across the French Quarter.

A Star-Studded Tribute to Victims and First Responders

The pregame ceremony paid tribute to not only the Bourbon Street attack victims but also those affected by natural disasters and other tragedies across the country. Lady Gaga delivered an emotional performance of “Hold My Hand” on Bourbon Street, surrounded by first responders, bringing a moment of unity and reflection to an otherwise celebratory event.

Trump’s Super Bowl Pick—and a Nod to the Mahomes Family

As the game approached, Trump shared his prediction for Super Bowl LIX, putting his support behind the Kansas City Chiefs. This wasn’t much of a surprise, given his past admiration for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, who openly backed Trump during the 2024 election.

Despite the political divide in New Orleans, the reaction inside the Superdome made one thing clear: when Trump took center stage, the crowd made their support loud and unmistakable.

The Super Bowl may have been about football, but for many, the night became a historic moment far beyond the game itself.