CNN's Kristen Holmes reported Tuesday that President Trump was expected to attend the Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Raymond James Stadium, citing two sources familiar with the plan. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET. Carmen Vitali questioned the cost on X, citing millions of taxpayer dollars to see the ghost of Aaron Rodgers and a UDFA rookie QB. Hours later Holmes posted that she was told they pulled down the trip, and hoped people had kept their tickets. CONTESTED: Holmes's first report said the visit was expected; her follow-up said it was pulled down after the news drew criticism. No further explanation for the change appears in available reporting. Trump has attended roughly two dozen high-profile sporting events since January 2025, including Super Bowl LIX and a Lions-Commanders game. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has said teams get no warning when presidential movement inside a stadium cuts coach headsets. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said before the season there is no MAGA movement and that the government is a uniparty.
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Having the president at a Bucs-Steelers game will draw crowds but might distract from the actual football on the field.
The possible headset interference from his movement sounds like a bigger issue for the coaches than anyone wants to admit.
Trump's visit means extra security everywhere, which could make getting into the stadium a real hassle for regular fans.
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