U.S. President Donald Trump was met with loud boos from the crowd during an NFL game he attended on Sunday, becoming the first sitting president in nearly half a century to appear at a regular-season match.

Trump attended the Washington Commanders–Detroit Lions game, accompanied by House Speaker Mike Johnson. While initially receiving mild applause when shown on the stadium’s giant screen, the mood quickly turned hostile as he delivered brief remarks during a halftime military oath ceremony.

The president, who has recently appeared at several major sporting events such as the Ryder Cup and the U.S. Open, is seen by observers as using these appearances to maintain public visibility amid falling approval ratings.

Arriving late to the game, Trump told reporters after Air Force One’s flyover that “everything is great” and that “prices are coming down.” His comments drew criticism, as they came while a federal government shutdown continues to impact millions of Americans—cutting food aid to more than 40 million people and grounding thousands of flights nationwide.

Political analysts say Trump’s optimistic statements contrast sharply with the country’s current economic and social challenges. “He’s trying to turn public events into political theatre,” one commentator told local media.

Meanwhile, U.S. outlets reported that Trump had expressed interest in the Commanders’ new stadium project and even suggested naming it after himself, allegedly threatening to obstruct the project if his demand was rejected.

Analysts view Trump’s increasing public appearances as part of a broader effort to restore his declining popularity ahead of the upcoming election season.(ILKHA)