On campus, Donald Trump is the big man. The former President will attend Saturday’s Iowa-Iowa State game, but he had to go back to his college days before the game.
The game began around 3:30 p.m. ET, thus Trump had some time before the game to visit the people of Iowa. Trump, 77, was photographed grilling burgers with several admirers at a tailgate.
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A massive crowd gathered behind Trump as he entered the stadium for some rowdy “USA” chants.
President @realDonaldTrump flipping burgers at Iowa State University! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hUjBVEFeoW
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) September 9, 2023
President @realDonaldTrump arrives at Jack Trice Stadium! pic.twitter.com/uihKKazQ14
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) September 9, 2023
Trump was also greeted with a “four more years” shout before entering the game. He also paid a visit to the agricultural fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho.
IOWA IS TRUMP COUNTRY!!!🥳🥳🥳 pic.twitter.com/G7111DdeFV
— il Donaldo Trumpo (@PapiTrumpo) September 9, 2023
“We’re thrilled to invite Donald J. Trump to the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game this weekend,” Trump’s former acting attorney general, Matt Whitaker, said in a press release earlier this week, according to the Des Moines Register.
“President Trump attended this game in 2015 and remembers the incredible passion and electricity of the fans.”
Former Cyclones wide receiver and Iowa Senate majority leader Jack Whitver also commented on Trump’s visit to the Hawkeye State.
“Tens of thousands of Iowans will gather to tailgate and cheer on their favorite team,” Whitver said in a statement. “I’m proud to have President Trump witness the greatest rivalry in college sports.”
Trump recently pleaded not guilty to charges in his Georgia election tampering case.
This is the first “Cy-Hawk” game since the two colleges were decimated by a gambling investigation. Several current and past players have been charged as a result, notably with the Cyclones. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones will meet for the 70th time on Saturday.
Iowa and Iowa State both won their first games of the 2023 college football season, with the Hawkeyes defeating Utah State and the Cyclones defeating Northern Iowa, respectively.
The Cyclones defeated Iowa in 2022 after losing six straight in the series, and they will host the game on Saturday.
