Star QB a no-show, but Super Bowl champs’ day at the White House was unforgettable

Continuing a long tradition of honoring the nation’s sports champions, President Donald J. Trump welcomed the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles to the White House on Monday, with one notable exception.

While the majority of his teammates gracefully accepted the honor, star quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts chose to snub Trump, claiming that he would be unable to attend due to “scheduling conflicts” and was a no-show for the event.

Just before the ceremony, NBC News White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor reported the news on X, writing that Hurts “will not be visiting the White House when the Super Bowl champions come later this afternoon. The White House says Hurts and other players who can’t attend had ‘scheduling conflicts.’”

“We’re thrilled to welcome everyone to the White House, a special place — and to celebrate Super Bowl LIX champions, the Philadelphia @Eagles.” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/zbPov3L4zY

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 28, 2025

Also, ghosting the president due to “scheduling conflicts” were a handful of other players, including starting wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

“He’s welcome to do what he wants,” Hurts said when asked about Trump’s attending the big game in New Orleans in February, a less-than-enthusiastic response.

The quarterback, who rode the controversial “tush push” to glory, came up big in February when his team clobbered the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. It was a win that at least temporarily ended the long national nightmare of nonstop Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce coverage with Hurts tossing two TDs and running for another in the Eagles’ 40-22 victory.

“The only one that had a tougher night than the Kansas City Chiefs was Taylor Swift. She got BOOED out of the Stadium. MAGA is very unforgiving!” Trump wrote on Truth Social after the game, jabbing the pop diva who endorsed Kamala Harris and was booed by the crowd at the Caesars Superdome.

Trump got in another dig at Swift during Monday’s ceremony.

President @realdonaldtrump: “I watched in person, I was there along with Taylor Swift. How did that work out?!” pic.twitter.com/oCE336jTWd

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) April 28, 2025

“I watched in person, I was there along with Taylor Swift,” Trump quipped. “How did that work out?”

The Super Bowl MVP may have snubbed the president, but superstar Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was the picture of class, playing in the Rose Garden with Trump’s grandson, Theo, who challenged him to a race.

Theo’s mom, Ivanka Trump, posted a video of the heartwarming moment to social media, captioning her post “Celebrating with champions at the White House today!”

Celebrating with champions at the White House today! Congratulations to the @Eagles on an amazing season and Super Bowl win !

My highlight of the day? Theo challenging @saquon to a race in the Rose Garden after my father wisely demurred ! Thanks Saquon for being such a… pic.twitter.com/dynSa4PTPx

— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) April 28, 2025

“My highlight of the day? Theo challenging @saquon to a race in the Rose Garden after my father wisely demurred ! Thanks Saquon for being such a great sport!” she wrote.

Barkley got in some private time with the president over the weekend, hitting the links with him at Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

President Trump and Philadelphia Eagles star RB Saquon Barkley step off Marine One, ahead of the Super Bowl champion Eagles’ White House visit tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/KlDVNLwLBP

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) April 27, 2025

The 2,000-yard rusher steamrolled critics of his golfing with Trump.

“lol some people are really upset cause I played golfed and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT. Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand. Just golfed with Obama not too long ago…and look forward to finishing my round with Trump ! Now ya get out my mentions with all this politics and have amazing day,” Barkley wrote in a post to X on Monday morning.

Fly, @Eagles Fly! pic.twitter.com/hWgjvVcoca

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 29, 2025

“You know a lot of people, they doubted — well, they always doubt championship teams,” Trump said of his guests. “Then they become championship teams. They never doubt them again.”

Staff Writer

Chris Donaldson is an ordinary American who is concerned about rampant corruption as well as the ongoing attacks on our way of life by those who have contempt for our hard-earned freedoms. A Navy veteran, he has been a frequent contributor to conservative websites and resides in Florida.

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