Former President Donald Trump was met with overwhelming cheers and applause as he made a high-profile appearance at the NCAA Men’s Division I Wrestling Championship on Saturday. The event, held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, saw the crowd rise to its feet as Trump entered the arena, acknowledging the audience with waves and smiles.
His entrance was so notable that ESPN momentarily cut away from an interview with national champion Carter Starocci to capture the moment. The atmosphere was electric as chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” echoed throughout the venue.
Trump, a well-known supporter of combat sports, was joined by tech mogul Elon Musk and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a former NCAA wrestling champion and longtime advocate for the sport. Jordan, who won two Division I titles while wrestling for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, later coached at Ohio State University.
Star Wrestlers Excited for Trump’s Presence
The event’s top competitors were eager to showcase their skills in front of the former president. Penn State’s Carter Starocci, who made history by becoming the first five-time Division I national champion, expressed his excitement before the match.
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“I’m looking forward to it,” Starocci said in an interview earlier in the week. “He came to nationals my sophomore year, and it was really cool. He’s a big fan of combat sports—he’s always at UFC events. It’s great for wrestling.”
Heavyweight standout Gable Steveson of the Minnesota Gophers shared similar enthusiasm, saying, “We’re going to put on a great show for him. He’s here to watch the best wrestling in the world, and we’ll deliver.”
Later in the evening, Starocci met with Trump, shaking hands and posing for photos with his championship trophy. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, shared a lighthearted moment from their meeting on social media, posting a photo of Trump playfully embracing Starocci with the caption: “Coolest. President. Ever.”
Trump’s Continued Presence at Sporting Events
Trump’s attendance at high-profile sports events has become a hallmark of his public appearances. Over the years, he has made appearances at major sporting events, reinforcing his appeal among fans of contact sports.
In February, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl. That same month, he also attended NASCAR’s Daytona 500. Even before taking office, he was a frequent guest at major athletic events, including the Army-Navy football game and UFC fights, often sitting ringside.
His presence at the NCAA wrestling championship reaffirmed his continued support for the sport and his connection with its passionate fan base .
