Donald Trump made history as the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl, but his early departure left many fans questioning why he left before the game ended. Estimates suggest the trip cost between $15 million and $20 million, covering Secret Service security, Air Force One travel, and local law enforcement support.
Flight trackers showed that Trump’s motorcade left the stadium around 8 p.m. local time, right as Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show began. This led to speculation that Trump may have left in response to Lamar’s performance, which some viewed as critical of the president. Lamar changed a lyric in his set to say, “The revolution is about to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy.”
Others believe Trump, who has spoken positively about the Chiefs in the past, left early because Kansas City was losing. The Chiefs, who were attempting a historic three-peat, struggled against the Eagles and ultimately lost 40-22. One fan joked, “Imagine saying it’s an honor for Trump to watch you play, only for him to leave because you were getting beat so bad.”
A more practical theory suggests Trump’s early exit was simply a security measure. U.S. presidents typically leave major events early to avoid logistical challenges and road closures that would affect thousands of attendees.
Whatever the reason, Trump’s brief Super Bowl appearance stirred conversation, especially as he continues his campaign for re-election. Whether he left due to Lamar’s performance, the Chiefs’ struggles, or standard security protocol, his early exit became one of the biggest talking points of the night.
