Trump makes NCAA men's wrestling championships his latest sports-focused trip

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump attended the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday night for the second time in three years, the latest example of how he has mostly limited travel early in his new term to trips built around sports events.

Trump arrived at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia to loud cheers and a standing ovation. He pumped his fists amid chants of “U-S-A!” As the matches occurred, Trump stood near the action and personally congratulated most of the winning wrestlers. Hours later, he left the arena, shaking hands along the way as the crowd roared.

The Republican president spent Friday night at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey, about 70 miles northeast of Philadelphia, on what was his first visit there of his second term.

“We’re going to the big fight," Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Friday evening. “I’ve always supported the wrestlers.” He added, “These are the great college wrestlers from the various schools.”

Trump traveled with billionaire and top adviser Elon Musk. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin greeted the president as he arrived at the Philadelphia airport. Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan were also at the arena sitting in the same section as Musk and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.

In the two-plus months since returning to the White House, Trump attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans and the Daytona 500 in Florida, where his motorcade drove a portion of the track. While president-elect he went to a UFC fight in New York.

That’s more travel for sports than for policy announcements or official duties, though a long January swing took Trump to tour damage from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and wildfires in Los Angeles. He then gave a speech and visited the floor of Las Vegas’ Circa Resort & Casino before heading to Doral, Florida, to address a House Republican policy conference.

Trump has long built his public and political persona around sporting events, and relishes turning up at live events to hear cheers from the crowd, even if some in attendance boo him. He also has signed an executive order intended to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports — an action which he points to frequently to fire up his core supporters.

The president played football as a student at the New York Military Academy. As a New York businessman in the early 1980s, he owned the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.

Trump had sued to force a merger of the USFL and the NFL. The USFL eventually folded.

During an interview on Air Force One with “Outkick the Show” podcast host Clay Travis on Saturday night, Trump was asked about the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles being set to visit the White House, after not doing so following their Super Bowl win in 2018.

That year, Trump said he was rescinding the team's invitation after some players indicated that they planned to boycott.

“It’s a great honor to come,” Trump said.

The president said he also planned to host the Kansas City Chiefs after the Eagles, saying that the visit would make up for one that couldn’t happen when the Chiefs won the 2020 Super Bowl because of the coronavirus pandemic.

That’s despite Trump’s predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden, having hosted the Chiefs after they won the title in 2023, a visit that was considered as also making up for the missed White House stop in 2020.

“They missed their turn because of COVID,” Trump said of the Chiefs.

The president has used most Saturdays and Sundays to play golf at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, though he also sometimes remained in Washington to give weekend speeches.

Trump was a candidate for reelection when he went to the 2023 NCAA wrestling championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

During the in-flight interview, Trump was asked about his administration's release of thousands of files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and he conceded that they didn't contain many startling new revelations.

“I think the papers have turned out to be somewhat unspectacular," Trump said. "And maybe that’s a good thing.”

Associated Press writers Mark Scolforo in Philadelphia and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump, left, Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., second from left, and Elon Musk, third from right, attend the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Philadelphia International Airport, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

President Donald Trump attends the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President Donald Trump attends the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Elon Musk, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump at the finals for the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President Donald Trump attends the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President Donald Trump, left, and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., attend the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Philadelphia International Airport, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

President Donald Trump attends the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President Donald Trump attends the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Wrestlers compete in the NCAA wrestling championships, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

BILBAO, Spain (AP) — Manchester United and Tottenham will meet in an all-English final in the Europa League on Wednesday, with both clubs hoping to end a dismal season on a high note.

The trophy will offer some relief — and Champions League qualification — for the winner, while the loser is likely to face a fresh wave of criticism.

United is unbeaten in Europe's second-tier club competition this season but is down in 16th place in the Premier League, one spot ahead of Tottenham.

Tottenham was beaten in the 2019 Champions League final by Liverpool, and has not lifted a trophy since the 2008 English League Cup. United picked up its last silverware in the 2024 FA Cup.

United coach Ruben Amorim will start the match with Mason Mount in attack, rewarding the forward for his two goals in the second leg of the semifinals against Athletic Bilbao. Manuel Ugarte returns to the bench to give way for Mount.

In defense, Amorim promoted the return of Leny Yoro, who had been out injured. He will play alongside Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw in a back line of three.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will stick with forward Richarlison in attack, and Pape Sarr will be in the midfield.

More than 50,000 English fans were expected in Bilbao. The Basque city was filled with supporters from both clubs in the buildup for the final.

Many were without tickets, but the atmosphere outside Athletic Bilbao's San Mames Stadium was mostly peaceful.

There was fan trouble overnight, though, when supporters from both clubs confronted each other on the streets and in bars, with some throwing trash bins, bottles and other objects at each other. Some were seen climbing traffic-light poles and causing damage.

There were also Spanish media reports of confrontations in nearby towns and cities, where many of the fans were staying to avoid overpriced accommodation in Bilbao.

There were no reports of serious injuries in the clashes.

Tottenham has won all three matches it has played against United this season. It is unbeaten in six straight games against its final rival, with the last five under Postecoglou.

United and Tottenham have met in just one previous final — the 2009 League Cup when Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils won 4-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Tottenham striker Son Heung-min will have a chance to end his title drought and crown 10 years of service for the north London club.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Tottenham players inspect the field ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

A general view of the San Mamés Stadium ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

Tottenham players walk on the pitch ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

The Europa League trophy is displayed on the pitch before the final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Manchester United supporters place banners on scaffolding ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Manchester United supporters react ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Fans pose for a photo next to a giant replica of the Europa League trophy ahead of the final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Manchester United players visit the pitch ahead of the Europa League final soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Manchester United players visit the pitch ahead of the Europa League final soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)