John Harbaugh isn’t in the business of playing media games — and he made that crystal clear when a reporter tried to bait him into trashing Donald Trump this week.
During a Wednesday presser at Ravens training camp, a local reporter asked the veteran head coach whether he approved of Trump’s “denigrating” 2019 comments about Baltimore, tying it to Harbaugh’s recent visit to the White House. Instead of taking the bait, Harbaugh chuckled and clapped back:
“Why would you frame the question — I would’ve framed that question like, ‘You got a chance to go visit with the president, man. What was that experience like?’”
Then he answered on his own terms: “It was amazing. It was awesome. And I promise you, I root for our president. I want our president to be successful just like I want my quarterback to be successful, and I want my team to be successful.”
Left wing sports media member rips John Harbaugh for meeting with President Trump. Harbaugh isn’t having it, schools the media member. Well. Done. Athletes and coaches are over being bullied by left wing media losers. Love this: pic.twitter.com/4OrG1qcd7D
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 24, 2025
That’s about as diplomatic — and classy — as it gets.
For context, the question was a clear attempt to resurrect one of the media’s favorite old controversies: Trump’s first-term remarks calling Baltimore a “corrupt, rodent-infested mess” where residents were “living in hell” under then-Rep. Elijah Cummings. Back then, viral videos of garbage-strewn streets and open-air drug use seemed to bolster Trump’s claim, though it sparked a wave of outrage from Democratic leaders.
Harbaugh wasn’t interested in relitigating 2019. Instead, he shared how meaningful the White House visit was for him and his family. “It was an amazing experience… We were there, my daughter was there, Jim’s daughters were there. My mom and dad were there. My mom and President Trump — just seeing how he treated her was really meaningful.”
He also pointed out that this wasn’t his first presidential encounter — or even his first time meeting Trump. Harbaugh said he’s now met four presidents, comparing notes with his brother, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who’s met seven. He even recalled meeting Barack Obama twice and spending “a lot of time” with Joe Biden in Iraq when Biden was vice president. “Those are moments that I definitely cherish,” Harbaugh said.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to stir up NFL-related headlines — most recently threatening to derail a Washington Commanders stadium deal unless the team returns to its old Redskins name. And on the campaign trail, he’s even become an unlikely inspiration for NFL players, with several breaking out his signature swaying dance moves for touchdown celebrations at his rallies.
