Pat McAfee went to Patriots Games with President Donald Trump and is receiving backlash for his attendance amid his past political comments.
Pat McAfee is clearing his name after receiving backlash for attending 2026 Patriots Games with President Donald Trump.
McAfee’s post on X Tuesday, Aug. 11, included him smiling in a photo alongside Trump, who was also in attendance.
“Had a BLAST celebrating high schoolers from across the country with the Heads of Disney, ABC, ESPN, and… The United States Of America,” McAfee wrote. “I’m proud of all parties getting behind this important initiative to keep future generations excited about remaining active. Cheers to the incredible contestants and to next year’s Patriot Games.”
The moment was met with fans upset at the ESPN sports analyst, who has been open about his non-political affiliations.
“Pat McAfee claims he and his show aren’t political…yet everything he does is Trump/right leaning……,” one fan wrote.
Another person sarcastically wrote on X, “Remember he is just your average ordinary guy that enjoys hanging with high schoolers from across the country and Donald Trump was in the neighborhood so he decided to drop by because Pat McAfee is not political at all.”
A fan questioned McAfee’s morals, “It’s funny how people will trade their morals and values for money. Or, maybe there were none there to begin with.”
This follows McAfee sharing his response to the death of Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist who was shot and killed last year. As he was sending condolences to Kirk and his family he noted that he is not political.
“I’m not a political person, but I am a proud American citizen and today was startling, saddening, and maddening all at the same time..,” McAfee wrote via X back in September.
He added, “I’ve realized that I’m a bit naive to how crazy it all has become but watching a man get hunted and slayed in broad daylight because of his opinions made me disgusted and devastated.”
Pat McAfee responds to critics
After the backlash online, McAfee responded to critics in a post on X Wednesday, Aug. 12.
“Promoting American High Schoolers being active and competitive and potentially winning life changing scholarship money alongside my business partners at Disney/ABC/ESPN,” McAfee wrote, explaining why he participated.
Patriot Games is a White House-sponsored youth athletic competition that has high school students participate in field-day events like tug-of-war as well as obstacle courses. Each state selects one male and one female student to participate to win scholarships.
Trump, who is very active on social media, has not yet responded to McAfee’s critics.
Pat McAfee is clearing his name after receiving backlash for attending 2026 Patriots Games with President Donald Trump. McAfee’s post on X Tuesday, Aug. 11, included him smiling in a photo alongside Trump, who was also in attendance. “Had a BLAST celebrating high schoolers from across the country with the Heads of Disney, ABC, ESPN, and… The United States Of America,” McAfee wrote.