Former President Donald Trump made a notable appearance at Saturday’s highly anticipated Iowa-Iowa State football game, taking a trip down memory lane to his college days. The game, which kicked off at 3:30 ET, provided Trump with the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the people of Iowa.
The 77-year-old Trump was seen getting hands-on with some fans as he flipped burgers at a lively tailgate event. As he entered the stadium, a massive crowd quickly gathered around him, erupting into spirited “USA” chants. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as supporters chanted “four more years” in a clear demonstration of their ongoing loyalty to the former president. Trump also made a stop at the Alpha Gamma Rho agricultural fraternity during his visit.
President @realDonaldTrump flipping burgers at Iowa State University! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hUjBVEFeoW
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) September 9, 2023
IOWA IS TRUMP COUNTRY!!!🥳🥳🥳 pic.twitter.com/G7111DdeFV
— il Donaldo Trumpo (@PapiTrumpo) September 9, 2023
Matt Whitaker, Trump’s former acting attorney general, expressed excitement about Trump’s attendance at the game, citing the former president’s fond memories of the passionate fans when he last attended in 2015. “We’re thrilled to invite Donald J. Trump to the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game this weekend,” Whitaker stated.
President @realDonaldTrump arrives at Jack Trice Stadium! pic.twitter.com/uihKKazQ14
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) September 9, 2023
Jack Whitver, the Iowa Senate majority leader and a former Cyclones wide receiver, also weighed in on Trump’s visit, acknowledging the significance of the event for the people of Iowa. “Tens of thousands of Iowans will gather to tailgate and cheer on their favorite team,” Whitver said, emphasizing the pride in having President Trump witness the historic rivalry in college sports.
The 2023 “Cy-Hawk” game marked a significant moment for both schools, as it was the first since a gambling probe had rocked the two institutions, resulting in charges against several current and former players, primarily from the Cyclones. Despite this backdrop, Saturday’s matchup was a testament to the enduring spirit of the rivalry.
The game itself marked the 70th meeting between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones, with both teams coming off victorious opening games in the 2023 college football season. The Hawkeyes secured a win against Utah State, while the Cyclones triumphed over Northern Iowa. It was the Cyclones who had the honor of hosting this year’s contest, following their victory over Iowa in 2022, which had ended a six-game losing streak in the series.
