The political atmosphere is so combustible these days that just being in close physical proximity to President Donald Trump can get you in trouble. Ask Pat McAfee. The host of two shows on ESPN, College GameDay and The Pat McAfee Show, he sat next to Trump at the Patriot Games. And he is reportedly getting shredded by someone online for that.
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It's not the first time McAfee has publicly crossed paths with the president. In 2025, he interviewed the MAGA prez on his program on Veterans Day. It was seemingly more of a tribute to the nation's brave past-and- present service members than a celebration of Donald Trump. McAfee even hosted the show from a time-honored military site - the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in South Carolina.
McAfee Was Seated With Trump at the Patriot Games
The contest, which was held in Ohio, showcased high school students facing off against one another for scholarships. They vied in various areas to determine a male and female winner. Pat McAfee watched the action alongside President Trump. On X, McAfee wrote, "Promoting American High Schoolers being active and competitive and potentially winning life changing scholarship money alongside my business partners at Disney/ABC/ESPN....
On that note...
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He Got Clobbered Online for Being With the President
However, McAfee's choice of a seat mate sat poorly with one individual. That person, calling himself Pop and also writing on X, posted this message. "In case you were wondering if Pat McAfee calls us the N word behind our backs when we're not around, here's your answer." The post was accompanied by a snap of the ESPN star with Donald Trump at the Patriot Games.
McAfee Clapped Back at His Detractor and Threatened Legal Action
He wasn't taking the insult lightly. Pat McAfee responded on X, "This is grotesque...and potentially lawsuit worthy...we'll have the lawyers look into that next week after
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In a previous X post from last month, McAfee acknowledged how divisive he can be and made no apologies for that. "For as long as I can remember my mere existence has made people hate my guts...if I was to die, I'd like my kids to know exactly who their dad is."
