Interview: Laura Rutledge of ESPN Interviews Donald Trump at the Patriot Games - August 11, 2026

Welcome back to the 2026 Patriot Games here in Geneva, Ohio, and we are joined by President Trump. It's great to see you, Mr. President. We've seen some incredible competition here at the Patriot Games. What are your thoughts on what you've seen, the effort out of these athletes?

Well, number one, I love Ohio. I really love it. And these are great athletes, so many. I'm sitting next to a whole group of athletes, I can't believe how many, but they are doing fantastically well. Proud of them.

The Patriot Games are a key piece in Celebrating America 250. When you think about what this initiative has meant to our country, what comes to mind?

Well, so many different things that we have. The big Indy, Roger Penske's race, in two weeks, in the capital. They go around the capital, round and round, at 200 miles an hour, or some ridiculous speed. We had a tremendous UFC fight, you know that, you saw that, at White House, right at the gates of the White House.

That was amazing. And it's just been, the July 4th celebration was like none other. I think there's never been anything like it, the largest fireworks ever, ever in the world, they say. So we've had a good time, but this is something very exciting. I'm looking forward to seeing the final.

We're about to see it. And, in the spirit of competition, football season is just around the corner.

Yeah.

We're very excited to have the Super Bowl on ESPN and ABC this year. So tell us, which NFL team you're keeping your eyes on?

Well, I mean, maybe a pick a few. I think New England looks good, I think the Giants, I like their quarterback a lot. I think that, they say the LA Rams are looking very strong. But I better not get into this too much, I'm going to get myself in trouble if I do. But I think you have a lot of good teams, a lot of great teams, and we'll see how it turns out.

I'll be watching.

That was great analysis by you, Mr. President. Enjoy the finale here.

Oh yeah, yeah. I, I like a lot of finales. We've had a lot of good finales. But this has been, you know what, this is as exciting as anything. I got here, I didn't know what to expect, and the Patriot Games is just fan- -- I look at the parents, because a lot of these are parents, they're so proud of their children.

And, I really am very proud of, I'm very proud of the group of people in this room. You see the spirit and the love of the country and, our great country. And our country's never done better. So good to be with you.

We appreciate your time.

Thank you, Laura.