President-elect Donald Trump descended on Washington’s hometown stadium Saturday for the annual Army-Navy football game, bringing with him key allies who have been selected to join his inner circle when he returns to the military next month White House.
Trump was joined in his box seats by newly elected Vice President J.D. Vance, as well as his pick for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth; and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Elon Musk, who has been enlisted by Trump to set up a so-called Department of Government Efficiency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, also appeared.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — a Trump foe-turned-ally who Trump reportedly viewed as a backup for the defense secretary if Hegseth fails to win his Senate confirmation — was also at the game.
That included Daniel Penny, a Marine Corps veteran who was acquitted of murder last week after fatally strangling a subway rider named Jordan Neely. Penny came at Vance’s invitation.
Trump attended the iconic annual showdown between the Black Knights of Westpoint and the Midshipmen of Annapolis when he was elected president in 2016 and during his first term in the White House.
While Trump has faced criticism for a series of controversial comments about service members, veterans and their families, the military has historically taken a more conservative stance and veterans broadly supported Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, according to Pew Research.
Earlier Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration banned drones from around the stadium after a series of drone sightings in the Northeast prompted unsubstantiated claims that the drones came from an “Iranian mothership” – which the Pentagon has denied. On Friday, Trump suggested the drones should be shot down.
Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing contributed to this report.
