Trump Praises Arch Manning's 'Great Genetics' at Texas-Tennessee Game

Former President Donald Trump praised Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning on Saturday, lauding the sophomore player's performance during a halftime interview at Neyland Stadium.

Trump attended the game between top-ranked Texas and No. 14 Tennessee, which drew over 101,000 spectators. Speaking with OutKick founder Clay Travis, Trump expressed admiration for Manning, referencing his family's football legacy.

"Well, he's already looking really good," Trump told Travis. "And I know the brothers are fantastic. They're fantastic people and great quarterbacks." He added, "He's got great genetics. If you're going for genetics, you can't do much better! And he's playing pretty well today."

Manning, making his first career start at the venue where his uncle Peyton became a college football icon, completed 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards. He guided Steve Sarkisian's Texas squad to a 20-17 victory over Tennessee. The Longhorns secured the win with a late touchdown run by Raleek Brown, despite a late scoring effort by the Volunteers.

Trump watched the game from a luxury suite alongside Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn. His appearance on the stadium's jumbotron was met with cheers. The president's arrival included an Air Force One flyover above Neyland Stadium.

Air Force One landed at McGhee Tyson Airport, and Trump proceeded to the campus with an entourage that included Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Senator Bill Hagerty, and Representative Tim Burchett. The presence of the president necessitated a significant security operation on the University of Tennessee campus, with early gate openings for extensive security screenings by the U.S. Secret Service, tactical teams, and K-9 units.