Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders offered fans a reminder of two undeniable truths: the Lions are a powerhouse team, and President Donald Trump remains a cultural force whose presence can still electrify a crowd.
Late in the first quarter, with 1:58 remaining and the Lions holding a 7-3 lead, star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown turned a slant route into a 10-yard touchdown reception. After crossing the goal line, St. Brown directed his celebration toward the stadium’s luxury suites, where Trump was watching in person, and performed the now-famous “Trump dance.”
Joining him in the endzone were teammates wide receiver Jameson Williams (#1) and tight end Sam LaPorta (#87), who enthusiastically mirrored the celebratory move, creating a memorable moment that highlighted the intersection of sports, politics, and pop culture.
The celebration quickly went viral, illustrating not only the Lions’ dominant performance on the field but also Trump’s continued resonance as a figure capable of inspiring both athletes and fans alike.
Touchdown Amon-Ra St. Brown!@Lions extend their lead
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/auCwjQVmaX
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 9, 2025
Meanwhile, in a notable departure from previous coverage, Fox Sports, which broadcast the game, treated President Trump with deference.
(Not that Fox bears sole responsibility — the broader establishment media has spent much of the past decade in a concerted effort to avoid “normalizing” Trump.)
During the third quarter, Trump even joined Fox commentators Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma in the broadcast booth. He engaged in lighthearted sports banter with the pair and offered his own analysis of several plays, adding an unusual and memorable dimension to the game-day broadcast.
WATCH IN FULL: President Donald J. Trump joins @NFLonFOX in the booth during the @Commanders–@Lions game pic.twitter.com/xajpIVYfK1
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 9, 2025
Trump attended the game as part of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” initiative ahead of Veterans’ Day. He was joined by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
GAME ON! President Trump made an appearance for a “Salute to Service” NFL game Sunday between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders. pic.twitter.com/PmTVXacn7o
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 9, 2025
Detroit dominated the field with a 44-22 victory.
St. Brown’s endzone celebration echoed a similar phenomenon following Trump’s decisive 2024 election win. One year ago, football players at all levels marked big plays with their own versions of the former president’s signature dance, capturing the national mood at the time.
Last week, Democrats recorded significant wins on Election Night 2025, results that some interpret as indicators for the 2026 midterms. Yet, it would be an overstatement to view these outcomes as fully predictive. The Republican Party, often struggling to maintain cohesion, has repeatedly shown its capacity to alienate voters. Trump, however, remains an outlier.
Looking ahead to 2026, which will coincide with yearlong celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary, Trump is uniquely positioned to channel and embody the resulting patriotic energy. If events unfold in his favor, the national sentiment could mirror the optimism seen in 2024 more than the dynamics of 2025.
Sunday’s game in Washington, D.C. — from the touchdown dance to Trump’s stint in the broadcast booth — served as a vivid reminder that, regardless of broader perceptions of the Republican Party, Trump continues to maintain a distinctive and enduring connection with the voters who put him in office.
