Trump Hosts the Champion Eagles: 'They Should Keep' the Tush Push; Saquon Barkley Took a Ride on Air Force One (April 28, 2025)

President Donald Trump welcomed the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to the White House and weighed in on the play some teams wanted banned. “They’re talking about getting rid of that play, I understand. They should keep it. What do you think, Saquon? I like it,” Trump said of the Eagles’ “tush push” on the South Lawn on April 28, 2025, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

“It’s an honor to be with this incredible group of champions. Great team. And we are thrilled to welcome everyone to the White House—special place—and to celebrate the Super Bowl LIX champion: the Philadelphia Eagles,” Trump said [1].

The video above shows the Eagles at the White House on April 28, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and 6abc [1][2][3].

”I Wouldn’t Want to Tackle Him”

Trump singled out running back Saquon Barkley. “And I want to tell you, he is a handsome guy,” Trump said, as the crowd laughed, “but I wouldn’t want to tackle him.” [1]

“I offered him a ride on Air Force One. He took it,” Trump said. “And usually, they say, ‘No, no, I don’t think so.’ He said, ‘I’ll take it, sir.’” [1]

The day before, at the airport in Morristown, N.J., Trump gestured to Barkley. “What a nice guy he is,” he told reporters. “I wanted to race him, but I decided not to do it.” [2]

Trump also told a story about Barkley’s old team. “I was with the Giants and the head coach and some people, and I said, ‘Do anything you have to, but don’t lose Saquon.’ They lost Saquon,” he said [1].

“But ultimately, Saquon rushed for more than 2,500 yards in the regular season and playoffs combined—an NFL record. Think of that,” Trump said, as the crowd chanted “MVP!” [1]

“Big Dom”

Trump called up the team’s security chief. “You know, this is a guy—they say he loves Trump,” he said. His name, Trump said, is Dominic DiSandro, “Big Dom,” and “he’s sort of a legend.” [1]

“I’d just like to say thank you. We’re honored to be here. Thank you, President Trump. And that’s it. Go Birds!” DiSandro said [1].

”I Was There Along With Taylor Swift”

Trump recalled the game in New Orleans. “I watched in person. I was there along with Taylor Swift. How did that work out?” he said, as the crowd booed and laughed [1].

“And at the final whistle, the green and white confetti rained down on the scoreboard. It was 40 to 22,” Trump said [1].

He praised rookie Cooper DeJean, whose interception return for a touchdown came on his birthday. “Cooper made the play of his life, and he did it on his 22d birthday,” Trump said [1].

”We Also Appreciate the Endorsement”

Coach Nick Sirianni thanked him for backing the team’s short-yardage play. “And we also appreciate the endorsement for the tush push,” Sirianni said [1].

Trump had one more football wish. “I’d like to go back to the regular kickoff, however. We don’t like that kickoff where nobody’s moving,” he said [1].

Owner Jeffrey Lurie, who told Trump, “I’m your neighbor,” praised his players. “Everything we all believe in as the best human values—selflessness, humility, teamwork, talent, discipline—everything that we all strive for, this team incorporated,” Lurie said [1].

“Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing us to be here, sending us the invitation,” said offensive tackle Lane Johnson [1].

The team gave Trump a jersey and a helmet. “Oh, that’s great. Thank you. Wow,” he said [1].

“So I want to congratulate once again. And let me just say: Fly, Eagles, fly,” Trump said [1].

”Modern-Day Warriors”

“Throughout their extraordinary season, the amazing group of warriors—and that’s what they are; they’re really modern-day warriors—inspired the world with incredible spirit, athletic dominance, and exceptional teamwork,” Trump said [1].

“Complementing Saquon’s historic season was an incredible year from star quarterback Jalen Hurts,” Trump said. “Finished with 32 touchdowns in the year, turning in one stellar performance after another. Terrific guy and a terrific player.” [1]

“I don’t have a lot to say, but go Birds, even in DC,” safety Reed Blankenship said [1].

“I remember as a little boy the championship teams that came to the White House, and I never dreamed we’d be able to, you know, have a team and be as good as this,” Lurie said [1].

“Just what a wonderful season it was, and we’re not done. We’re ready for another round,” Johnson said [1].

Trump said the players would visit the Oval Office. “Who knows? One of them may soon be sitting in that seat,” he said [1].

By the Numbers

40-22: the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Chiefs, per Trump [1].
14-3: their regular-season record, per Trump [1].
2,500+: Barkley’s rushing yards, regular season and playoffs, per Trump [1].
22: DeJean’s age on Super Bowl Sunday, per Trump [1].

What Happened Next

The tush push survived. On May 21, 2025, an effort to ban the play “failed to get enough votes at the NFL owners’ meeting,” 6abc reported. “ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that the final vote was 22-10. At least 24 votes were needed to ban the play.” [3]

For Trump with Kid Rock signing his ticket-scalping order a month earlier, see HYGO News’ page on March 31, 2025. For President Biden hosting the champion Warriors, see the page on Jan. 17, 2023.