Trump Attends College Wrestling Championship

By
Rachel Stevenson
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It was one of those moments you don’t see often—where sports, politics, and patriotism collide in a way that even the most jaded beltway insider has to stop and take notice. Saturday night’s NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia turned into something far bigger than a sports event. It became a rallying cry, a cultural flashpoint, and a good old-fashioned dose of unapologetic American pride.

And smack dab in the middle of it all? Donald J. Trump.

While the media continues to churn out its usual hit pieces and breathless think pieces about the end of democracy, the former (and possibly future) President walked into the Wells Fargo Center to thunderous chants of “USA! USA! USA!”—a crowd of thousands of college wrestling fans erupting in what can only be described as pure, unfiltered love for their favorite president. Not the polished, polling-obsessed kind of affection politicians beg for, but the raw, from-the-heart kind. You know, the kind that doesn’t require focus groups or media filters.

It wasn’t just that Trump showed up. It’s how he showed up. Front-row seats, handshakes, fist-pumps, posing for pictures with champions like Carter Starocci and Caleb Smith like he was just one of the guys—and, honestly, that’s part of the magic. Say what you want about Trump, but when was the last time Joe Biden waltzed into a stadium without a teleprompter and didn’t clear the room faster than a fire alarm?

But the real cherry on top? Wyatt Hendrickson. The Air Force Academy wrestler pulled off a jaw-dropping upset, defeating the reigning champ and sealing his victory with a powerful, patriotic moment alongside Trump himself. That wasn’t just a win on the mat—it was a statement. A reminder that the fighting spirit, the grit, and yes, the pride in country still runs deep in America’s youth. And who else but Trump could walk into that scene and become part of the story in the most Trumpian way possible—bold, magnetic, and completely unscripted.

And let’s not ignore the energy in the room. According to reporters on site—and no, not the CNN crowd—the arena was sold out, and the atmosphere was electric. And not one “Let’s Go Brandon” chant in earshot—just good ol’ fashioned “USA” thunder. That says something. In a political climate where patriotism is too often treated like a dirty word, this crowd made it clear where they stand.

Photos went viral, including Trump playfully squaring off with Smith and a viral clip of a wrestler donning a “dark MAGA” hat while shaking Trump’s hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Not a protest sign in sight, not a safe space needed—just respect, enthusiasm, and some serious energy.

It wasn’t a campaign rally, but let’s be honest, it might as well have been. With heavyweights like Linda McMahon, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Rep. Jim Jordan, and Pennsylvania’s Dave McCormick in attendance, the GOP was out in force—and not for a fundraiser or a fancy D.C. dinner, but for a gritty, all-American wrestling throwdown. It’s almost like Republicans are learning something the left still hasn’t: showing up where real Americans actually are.

This wasn’t just a feel-good photo op. It was a cultural moment that’s bound to drive the left absolutely bananas—and for good reason. Because every handshake, every cheer, every “USA” chant is a reminder that Trump’s support isn’t going anywhere. It’s not orchestrated, it’s not manufactured—it’s real. And Saturday night in Philly? That was just the warm-up.

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