During an appearance at the Patriot Games on Tuesday night, former President Donald Trump named the New York Giants as one of his three Super Bowl contenders for the upcoming NFL season, a surprising pick given the team's recent performance.
Trump stated his admiration for the Giants' young quarterback, Jaxson Dart, as a key factor in his selection. "I think the Giants. I like their quarterback a lot," Trump told ESPN's Laura Rutledge. He also mentioned the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams as strong teams.
The Giants are coming off a 4-13 season and are entering their second year under new head coach John Harbaugh. Dart, who was drafted 25th overall in his rookie season, showed promise in his first year.
The relationship between Trump and Dart has been a notable storyline this offseason. Dart introduced Trump at a Republican rally in Suffern, New York, on May 22. Following the event, Trump publicly praised Dart in the Oval Office, commenting on his physical stature and joking about his potential athletic prowess in women's sports.
Dart's introduction of Trump sparked controversy within the Giants' locker room. Teammate Abdul Carter expressed his disapproval on social media, though the post was later deleted. Both Dart and Carter addressed the situation during team Organized Team Activities in May.
Carter acknowledged the division his comments caused but emphasized that his intention was not to spread hate. He stated, "Some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things." Carter added that while he disagrees with Dart's political alignment, he respects him as a leader and the face of the franchise. He stressed the importance of maintaining team unity and shared goals, noting that he and Dart remain on good terms and work closely together.
Dart explained his decision to introduce Trump by referencing his respect for the office of the President and his family's history of military service. He acknowledged the sensitivity of political topics and his responsibility as the Giants' quarterback to be mindful of the spotlight. Dart expressed his love for New York, the Giants organization, his teammates, and coaches, stating that the team has had open conversations about the matter and that their collective focus remains on on-field success and pursuing a championship.
Following the backlash, Trump defended Dart on social media, calling critics "Radical Left Lunatics" and asserting Dart's success as a winner. Trump wrote, "I know that your Jersey also went to Number One, and you’re making Millions of Dollars so, YOU ARE A WINNER — THEY ARE ALL LOSERS."