President Trump hosted New York Giants star Saquon Barkley at his Bedminster golf course prior to a visit to Washington D.C., where Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles were scheduled to celebrate their Super Bowl victory.
Before boarding Air Force One with Barkley for travel to the capital, President Trump shared his impressions of the athlete. “What a nice guy he is,” he remarked. “I wanted to race him, but I decided not to do it.”
The visit culminated in Monday’s White House ceremony honoring the Eagles’ championship win.
While Barkley remained silent when approached by reporters, his presence at the golf course underscored a period of shifting dynamics surrounding the team’s relationship with the president. This came after quarterback Jalen Hurts notably declined to answer a question regarding his participation in the White House celebration during an appearance at the 2025 TIME100 gala.
“Um,” Hurts responded, visibly hesitant and glancing around before the interviewer concluded the discussion without receiving an answer.
The Eagles’ current acceptance of the invitation stands in stark contrast to their previous decision in 2018. Following that Super Bowl victory, several players indicated they would not attend a White House visit due to then-President Trump’s past comments regarding national anthem protests. Consequently, the president rescinded the invitation.
However, Eagles team owner Jeffrey Lurie recently emphasized the significance of such visits, describing them as “a time-honored tradition” that his team was eager to participate in.
- Key Facts:
- Saquon Barkley and President Trump spent time together before a White House visit.
- Jalen Hurts declined to comment on attending the White House celebration.
- The Eagles initially boycotted a 2018 White House visit but have now accepted an invitation.
