The roar of the crowd will be missing one familiar figure this Super Bowl Sunday: former President Donald Trump will not be in attendance. However, his voice will be undeniably present, thanks to a comprehensive pregame interview with NBC News.
Segments of this exclusive conversation will begin airing Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m., with a further portion broadcast just moments before the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots clash on Sunday. This marks a significant moment – the first in-depth, one-on-one interview with Trump conducted by NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas since Llamas assumed his role last year.
The agreement to participate is particularly striking given Trump’s history. Eight years ago, he famously declined a pre-Super Bowl interview opportunity, a decision made during a period of strained relations with NBC News and other major networks. The dynamic between the former president and the media has often been contentious.
NBC News, the broadcaster for this year’s Super Bowl, previously hosted a pre-game interview with former President Joe Biden in 2022 – a conversation that ultimately became Biden’s last while in office. He declined similar requests in subsequent years.
Interestingly, after Biden opted out of a 2024 interview, Trump proactively offered his time to CBS News, demonstrating a clear desire to engage directly with the public leading up to the championship game. This year, however, he’s chosen NBC as his platform.
While Trump won’t be physically present at the game, the interview represents his closest connection to the event. He publicly cited his reservations about the scheduled musical performances – specifically, artists Bad Bunny and Green Day – as the reason for his absence.
The decision follows a recent incident at the Grammy Awards where Bad Bunny used his platform to voice a political statement, calling out Immigration and Customs Enforcement. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the statement, expressing confidence that the artist understands the unifying potential of the halftime show.
All eyes will be on the field as the Seahawks and Patriots battle for the championship, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 8th. But before the game begins, the nation will be listening intently to the words of a former president, offering a unique perspective on the cultural and political landscape.
