The roar of the Super Bowl won't directly hear from Donald Trump this year, but his voice will be a significant part of the pre-game conversation. He’s agreed to a revealing interview with NBC News, a surprising turn given his past reluctance to engage with the network.
Segments of the interview will unfold over two broadcasts: a first glimpse on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m., followed by more insights just before the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots clash on Sunday. This marks the first in-depth conversation between Trump and NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas since Llamas took the helm last year.
This agreement arrives eight years after Trump famously declined a pre-game interview opportunity during a previous Super Bowl. NBC News, a frequent target of his criticisms throughout his political career, now finds itself hosting this exclusive dialogue.
The network has a precedent for these presidential interviews, having hosted former President Joe Biden for a similar pre-game discussion in 2022 – a conversation that ultimately became his last while in office. Biden declined subsequent interview requests.
Interestingly, after Biden opted out of a 2024 interview, Trump proactively offered CBS News a sit-down, demonstrating a clear desire to address the nation during this high-profile event. The Super Bowl stage clearly holds significant appeal.
Trump’s decision to forgo attending the game in person has sparked attention, and his explanation centers on the scheduled musical acts. He specifically cited performances by Bad Bunny and Green Day as reasons for his absence.
The choice is particularly noteworthy considering recent headlines surrounding Bad Bunny, who used his platform at the Grammy Awards to voice a pointed political statement. His call to “ICE out” – a reference to Immigration and Customs Enforcement – prompted a response from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Goodell acknowledged the musician’s statement but emphasized the Super Bowl halftime show’s intended purpose: to bring people together. The league hopes the performance will ultimately transcend any political undertones.
As the clock ticks down to the 6:30 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, February 8th, all eyes will be on the field – and on the unfolding interview with the former president. It promises to be a compelling prelude to the championship game.
