Trump Accompanied By Pat McAfee For ‘Patriot Games’ Finale In Ohio

Aug 12, 2026 07:20 AM - 4 hours ago 3

Topline

Sports talk show big Pat McAfee sat beside President Donald Trump astatine the “Patriot Games” finale successful Ohio connected Tuesday, successful the latest link-up betwixt the president and the brash host.

GENEVA, OHIO - AUGUST 11: U.S. President Donald Trump sits adjacent to sports expert Pat McAfee (L) arsenic he attends the 2026 Patriot Games astatine SPIRE Academy connected August 11, 2026 successful Geneva, Ohio. The Patriot Games is simply a younker athletics title featuring 14-17 year-old students from crossed the state celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

Trump and McAfee met connected a rainy tarmac successful Cleveland, greeting each different earlier stepping distant and waving to supporters.

The 2 past walked together successful what appeared to beryllium the opening ceremonial for the Patriot Games final, starring a group of athletes to fanfare and acold spark machines.

The president and McAfee took beforehand statement seats for the arena itself, adjacent different White House officials and athletes who participated successful the Patriot Games.

Key Background

McAfee has not identified himself arsenic a Trump supporter, but critics insist he has a cozy narration pinch the president. He hosted Trump connected “The Pat McAfee Show” past year, chatting pinch the president complete the telephone amid a historically agelong authorities shutdown. Trump told McAfee, a erstwhile NFL player, he only appeared connected his show “because I perceive you opportunity specified bully things astir me.” McAfee defended himself from disapproval for having Trump connected his show, saying he besides extended an induce to erstwhile President Barack Obama that fell done because of scheduling differences. “In my eyes he’s the leader of the subject and we were celebrating the hellhole retired of Veteran’s Day,” McAfee said successful a later talk show appearance, referring to Trump.

NEWS PEG

Tuesday’s last is taking spot astatine the SPIRE Academy successful Geneva, Ohio, and will beryllium broadcast connected ABC connected Thursday night. Five antheral athletes and 5 female athletes are competing successful Tuesday’s last pursuing days of title that began pinch 120 participants. Only 1 antheral and 1 female will beryllium capable to triumph the competition, coming distant pinch $125,000 successful danasiwa money each.

What Are The Patriot Games?

The title progressive 120 precocious schoolhouse students aged 14 to 17 who were selected done an exertion and screening process. One boy and 1 woman were selected from each U.S. state, while different 20 participants were selected from U.S. territories and tribal nations. Competitions successful the Patriot Games person included dodgeball, kickball, military-inspired circuits and tug of war. The Patriot Games are 1 of respective programs organized by the Trump-backed Freedom 250 statement to observe the 250th day of the U.S.