(Photo / David Ryder)
A huge crowd erupted into cheers as former President Donald Trump appeared on jumbotrons and waved during a Saturday college football game in western Alabama, videos show.
The videos were recorded during a Southeastern Conference match between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Trump was present in the skybox, alternately waving and fist-pumping as the crowd below mirrored his actions, another video shows.
Alabama overpowered Georgia, 41–34.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8ucQvlJQKx
— Old Row (@OldRowOfficial) September 29, 2024
The fist pumps recall Trump’s defiant response to his July 13 close shave with death as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, shot at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Republican presidential candidate sustained a gunshot wound to the ear. Former volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore was killed while shielding his daughter before the United States Secret Service shot Crooks dead.
BREAKING: Trump just made it inside his special box at the Alabama v. Georgia game, and the entire student section roared in cheers for him
Everyone in the country is hungry for Trump’s return, including Gen-Z voters. pic.twitter.com/mszTok5nGy
— George (@BehizyTweets) September 29, 2024
Trump was also interviewed by Outkick founder Clay Travis, sharing thoughts on both college football and politics.
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared a video showing fans chanting, “USA! USA!” before Trump arrived on the stadium’s concourse and passed what appeared to be boxes of chicken tenders to them.
HAPPENING NOW! President Trump arrives at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa for the Alabama vs. Georgia football game… pic.twitter.com/nYs4Hg2E2q
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) September 29, 2024
Trump watched the same matchup in 2018 when the Crimson Tide sank the Bulldogs to claim the national championship, The Tuscaloosa News reported. He also watched Alabama lose to Louisiana State University in 2019, the Crimson Tide’s only loss that season.
Fans lined the Tuscaloosa National Airport fences awaiting Trump’s arrival for the Saturday game, according to the outlet. Trump arrived at Tuscaloosa following a campaign event in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin rally was intially planned as an outdoor event, but a Secret Service staffing shortage forced it to move indoors, according to Fox News.
The Kamala Harris campaign planned to troll Trump from the skies above the Bryant-Denny Stadium by having a plane fly a banner with “Trump’s Punting on 2nd Debate” emblazoned on it, CNN reported.
The Harris campaign is taking its push for a second debate against Donald Trump to the sky by flying a banner over Saturday night’s Alabama-Georgia football game, where Trump is attending. The message claims he’s “Punting on 2nd Debate.” pic.twitter.com/eZDj4ZSKp3
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) September 29, 2024
Trump declined to debate Harris a second time, deeming the October 23 date “too late” as early voting would already be underway in some states.
