Donald Trump praises Saquon Barkley and defends Eagles’ controversial ‘tush push’ during Super Bowl champion's White House visit

On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles made their long-awaited White House visit to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX victory—a moment that had eluded them back in 2018 due to political tensions during President Donald Trump's first term. While this year’s celebration marked a full-circle moment for the franchise, it was not without its share of headlines, notable absences, and cultural undercurrents.

The championship tradition was revived as President Trump welcomed the 2025 Super Bowl champions to Washington, D.C., walking out with head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive tackle Lane Johnson. Addressing the media and the assembled players, Trump praised the team for their grit, talent, and comeback spirit. “The Eagles have turned out to be an incredible team, an incredible group,” he said, signaling a tone of admiration that contrasted sharply with the canceled 2018 event.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts, the team’s Super Bowl MVP and instrumental leader during their 14-3 season, was among several key players who chose not to attend. According to White House officials, their absence was attributed to scheduling conflicts. Still, President Trump had warm words for Hurts, stating he was a “terrific guy and terrific player” who had delivered “one stellar performance after another.”

The absence of players like Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jalen Carter, and Zack Baun highlighted a broader cultural shift within the NFL where White House visits remain optional and deeply personal. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie emphasized this, saying, “Our culture is that these are optional things. If you want to enjoy this, come along and we’ll have a great time, and if you don’t, it is totally an optional thing.”
The visit also put a spotlight on Saquon Barkley, who made headlines both for his dominant performance and his political optics. After setting an NFL record with 2,504 rushing yards and being named 2024’s Offensive Player of the Year, Barkley’s presence was hard to ignore. He played golf with Trump, flew on Air Force One, and shared the podium during the celebration.

His move from the Giants to a divisional rival still stings for New York fans—something even Trump acknowledged humorously: “I was with the Giants owner and the head coach and some people, and I said, ‘Do anything you have to, but don’t lose Saquon.’ They lost Saquon. That was not good. I called that one. That was an easy one to call,” Trump said. He later added that he was “a great young guy and an incredible football player.”

Despite some backlash for his visible association with Trump, Barkley addressed the controversy head-on. “Some people are really upset cause I played golfed and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT,” he posted on X. “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand.”
Trump used the occasion to reiterate his affection for the Eagles, even invoking league matters such as the potential ban on the team’s controversial “Brotherly Shove” play. “I hope they keep that play, Coach,” he said. “It’s sort of exciting and different.”
Interestingly, this year’s visit marks a change in tone from 2018, when political tensions led to the cancellation of the team’s first White House trip. This time around, Lurie made it clear: “There was no reticence whatsoever” in accepting the invitation.
Though politics and sports often make for uneasy bedfellows, the Eagles’ White House visit reflected a franchise unafraid to walk its own path—both on and off the field.
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