Trump Continues Praising NFL Quarterback Jaxson Dart, Criticizes Halftime Shows

Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated his admiration for NFL quarterback Jaxson Dart, praising the player for his endorsement and expressing concern over his recent knee injury. Trump also used the occasion to criticize Super Bowl halftime shows, suggesting that those who performed were part of a "liberal group of people in the NFL."

Dart, a 23-year-old quarterback for the New York Giants, appeared at a rally for Rep. Mike Lawler in May, an endorsement that generated controversy within the league and among his teammates. Trump defended Dart's decision at the time and continued to do so during his remarks on Wednesday.

"He's a little hurt right now," Trump said of Dart. "Good quarterback, but he endorsed Trump so heavily and he took a little heat from a rather liberal group of people in the NFL."

Trump claimed that those critical of Dart were "people who put on the halftime shows," which he stated he "doesn't get." He went on to assert, without providing evidence, that Dart's jersey became the number one selling jersey in the NFL following his endorsement. "So, Jaxson Dart, who's a great, talented, very handsome guy. And he loved Trump," Trump said. "He wanted to introduce me at a big rally – I had a big rally; thousands of people – he got up and he said nice things. He took a lot of heat. And then the next day, his jersey was the No. 1 selling jersey in the NFL. Isn't that great?"

Trump concluded his remarks about Dart by expressing well wishes for his recovery, stating, "I just want him to get better because we love him. He got hurt. It's a dangerous game." This is not the first time Trump has publicly praised Dart; he previously called him a "beautiful guy" with "legs like tree trunks."

This latest commentary also marks another instance of Trump criticizing Super Bowl halftime performances. In February, he strongly disapproved of Bad Bunny's halftime show, calling it "absolutely terrible" and noting that "there was nothing inspirational" about the performance by an artist who did not perform in English. Trump also criticized the "suggestive dancing" during the show, deeming it "disgusting" and "an affront to the Greatness of America."