A large crowd erupted in cheers as former President Donald Trump appeared on jumbotrons and waved during a college football game in western Alabama, as captured in video footage.
The game featured the Alabama Crimson Tide facing off against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Trump was in the skybox, alternately waving and fist-pumping, with the crowd below mimicking his gestures, according to another video.
Alabama triumphed over Georgia with a score of 41–34.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8ucQvlJQKx
— Old Row (@OldRowOfficial) September 29, 2024
The fist pumps evoke Trump’s defiant reaction following his near-death experience on July 13, when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at him during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Republican presidential candidate suffered a gunshot wound to the ear. Former volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore was killed while protecting his daughter before the U.S. Secret Service fatally shot Crooks.
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
— George (@BehizyTweets) September 29, 2024
Everyone in the country is hungry for Trump's return, including Gen-Z voters. pic.twitter.com/mszTok5nGy
Trump was also interviewed by Clay Travis, the founder of Outkick, where he discussed his views on college football and politics.
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino posted a video of fans chanting, “USA! USA!” just before Trump arrived on the stadium concourse and handed out what seemed to be boxes of chicken tenders to the crowd. (RELATED: Donald Trump Makes Epic Game Day Request)
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 attended the same matchup in 2018 when the Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs to win the national championship, as reported by The Tuscaloosa News. He also witnessed Alabama’s only loss that season against Louisiana State University in 2019.
Fans gathered at the fences of Tuscaloosa National Airport to await Trump’s arrival for the Saturday game. He came to Tuscaloosa after a campaign event in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin rally was initially scheduled to be outdoors, but a Secret Service staffing shortage necessitated a move indoors, according to Fox News.
The Kamala Harris campaign planned to mock Trump by flying a banner over Bryant-Denny Stadium that read, “Trump’s Punting on 2nd Debate,” as reported by CNN.
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 refused to debate Harris a second time, stating that the October 23 date was “too late,” as early voting would have already begun in some states.
