President Trump receives hearty ovation during LSU-Clemson national title game appearance

Andre Toran | Lafayette Daily Advertiser

NEW ORLEANS — President Donald Trump was welcomed with overwhelming shouts of praise in the New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Dome Monday night before the college football national title game.

Trump was shown on the dome's two big boards as he and his wife and first lady, Melania Trump, entered from the right corner of the LSU endzone before the singing of the national anthem. The 45th president of United States greeted the crowd with a lengthy wave, as they chanted "USA."

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Trump attended the game while facing questions and scrutiny over a drone strike in Iran and an impeachment inquiry that could include a trial later this month.

It’s not unusual for the president to attend sporting events. He has made it a common occurrence since the 2019 World Series, including a UFC match and the Army-Navy game in December.

The national title game was Trump’s second game with LSU involved after he attended the Alabama-LSU game on Nov. 9 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The president was cheered wildly at the game when he appeared on the video screen inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The reaction inside Mercedes-Benz Superdome to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walked onto the field. pic.twitter.com/DgbWxvy6cW — USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) January 14, 2020

With the president in attendance comes extra measures all-around, especially concerning security. Secret Service police were in attendance and posted all through out the dome Monday. Streets were backed up and highways shut down.

The already jammed pack event became just a little more congested due to the deliberate and careful nature of the security. However, Clemson fan and former military personnel Tony Waldrop didn't mind. If anything he welcomed the magnitude of the game and the presence of the president.

"Coming in the door and seeing the extra metal detectors off the bat made me feel a little better," Waldrop said. "Knowing he's going to be and knowing there's going to be even more security kind of gives me a feeling of comfort."

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This was Trump's second college football title game during his presidency. He attended the Alabama-Georgia championship game in January 2018. An approving roar erupted in the crowd with some boos when he walked out onto the field that night. He stood near midfield for the national anthem and was greeted with another round of cheering with a smattering of boos as he left the field in Atlanta. He left the stadium before halftime.

Considering the magnitude of this game and its cultural significance to the people of New Orleans and Louisiana at-large, could Trump stay until it's over? The president voiced anticipation as he left the White House, so there's a possibility he takes this game all the way in.

“We're going to the game," Trump said to the press corps as he departed for his travel to New Orleans. "It'll be a great game. It'll be something that a lot of people want to see. And we'll be in New Orleans and we look forward to it."

Waldrop said he understands the political tensions of the country and what's going on abroad, and sees Trump's visit as more than political. He says Trump is a fan, too.

"It's not just political. He's a person, he wants to watch the game," he said.

However, politics does play a role to a certain extent, considering the president’s title. Rogers Walker, who accompanied Waldrop at the game made that point simple and clear: “He (Trump) needs Louisiana.”

Robert Mann, a mass communications professor at LSU, told USA Today before the game that Trump wasn’t gambling much politically by attending a game in the Deep South between two Deep South teams from Louisiana and South Carolina.

Yes, it’s football country. It’s also generally Trump country, too.

"There's not a lot of risk of going before that crowd and getting booed," Mann said to USA Today.