President-elect Donald Trump was the real star of the Army-Navy game as he entered the stadium with a power group in tow. Alongside him were Vice President-elect JD Vance, his pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and Daniel Penny, the man who was acquitted for putting Jordan Neely in a chokehold on the subway. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson; incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Elon Musk, and Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice for director of national intelligence, were also there.
This was Trump’s fifth time attending the game, which outgoing President Joe Biden never did throughout his political career.
This is how the crowd reacted to Trump at the last Army/Navy game.
— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) December 14, 2024
Imagine the response he'll get this time.
They'll go absolutely wild when they see him and his guests 🔥🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/JTBX8BHek5
Massive cheers of joy are breaking out for President Trump at the Army-Navy game.
— George (@BehizyTweets) December 14, 2024
People are chanting "USA! USA! USA!" and waving their hats to show him love. pic.twitter.com/fU7AEAnQM9
The Commander-in-Chief is back in his rightful place.
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) December 14, 2024
Biden never attended this game one time as President.
Trump just showed up for the 5th time. For them. pic.twitter.com/L83ve5d9NY
Some of Trump’s invitees were controversial, including Penny, who the media had a meltdown over his acquittal. He faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge. However, he was found not guilty by a jury because they believed he acted in defense of himself and other subway riders when he put Neely in a fatal chokehold.
Common sense reigns again!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/iUDK95VnfX
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 14, 2024
When Vance personally called Penny to congratulate him on being a free man, the incoming vice president invited him to the game.
Another controversial person who attended the game alongside Trump was Hegseth. As he fights sexual misconduct allegations on his way to being confirmed into Trump's cabinet, there was speculation that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) would step up. However, Hegseth’s appearance at the game seems to have put those rumors to bed.
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