On Monday, the Philadelphia Eagles celebrated their Super Bowl LIX championship with President Donald Trump on the South Lawn — a visit years in the making after a previously canceled event in 2018. The atmosphere was lively, but it was Trump’s lighthearted moment with star running back Saquon Barkley that added to the show.
“The season started off slow, but you soon caught fire with your great coach inspiring you and you got the ball to your superstar running back who I met yesterday,” Trump said, drawing smiles from the team. “And I want to tell you, he is — he’s a handsome guy — but I wouldn’t want to tackle him. Saquon Barkley. Where’s Saquon?”
As the players laughed, Trump continued, praising Barkley’s character and recounting a memorable encounter the day before.
“I got to know him a little bit. He’s great. I offered him a ride on Air Force One because I was coming down,” Trump said. “Usually they say, ‘No, no, I don’t think so.’ He said, ‘I’ll take it, sir.’ And he loved it.”
WATCH:
Barkley, who joined the Eagles ahead of the 2024 season, played a crucial role in the team’s 40–22 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Though his Super Bowl stats were modest — 57 rushing yards and 40 receiving yards — his regular season had been nothing short of historic. Barkley led the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards, shattering the Eagles’ franchise record. Including the playoffs, his 2,504 rushing yards eclipsed Hall of Famer Terrell Davis’ longstanding 1998 mark. Barkley also set a new NFL record for combined scrimmage yards with 2,857.
The Eagles’ visit was notable for another reason: it was the first time the team made it to the White House following a Super Bowl win. Their 2018 invitation was famously canceled by Trump amid political tensions, but Monday’s event was filled with smiles, applause, and lighthearted moments.
Barkley’s appearance alongside Trump had stirred some social media chatter over the weekend after photos surfaced of the two at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Barkley quickly addressed the criticism, posting on social media, “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand.”
“Now ya get out my mentions with all this politics and have amazing day,” he joked, including a cry-laughing emoji.
In Washington, the star running back made it clear his focus was on celebrating a championship season — and enjoying the ride, quite literally, on Air Force One.
As Trump put it, “We love being together. He’s a great — he’s a great young guy.”
Meanwhile Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts skipped the team’s White House visit on Monday. Although the White House cited “scheduling conflicts,” Hurts’ awkward reaction when asked about the visit at last week’s TIME100 Gala has fueled speculation that he deliberately chose not to attend.