One of the most highly anticipated college football games of the season is in jeopardy, and with it, Donald Trump’s Saturday evening plans as well.
The President recently announced his intention to attend Saturday’s Alabama-Georgia game in Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately, the college town in Western Alabama is on the projected path of Tropical Storm Isaias, which is threatening to grow into a Category 2 hurricane as it makes landfall late Friday night or Saturday morning.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 6:30pm kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Trump had not been briefed yet about the potential hurricane when asked about the growing storm on Wednesday morning.
‘A hurricane is going in the vicinity of Alabama?’ Trump asked. ‘That’s not good.’
Trump then pulled back on his plans to attend the SEC matchup, saying he would only attend if it were deemed safe for him to do so.
Trump had not been briefed yet about the potential hurricane when asked about the growing storm on Wednesday morning. ‘A hurricane is going in the vicinity of Alabama?’ he asked
Tuscaloosa is on the projected path of Tropical Storm Isaias, which is threatening to grow into a Category 2 hurricane as it makes landfall late Friday night or Saturday morning
‘Look, I mean, if there’s an emergency, if there’s a hurricane, I don’t want to do anything to take the focus of all of the great people that work on those things,’ Trump said. ‘You know, they have some tremendously great people….So we’ll have to see…
‘Certainly, I’m going to let the hurricane determine. I want people to be safe, that’s all.’
As of Wednesday afternoon, Trump was still planning to attend the game, although that is subject to change.
The University of Alabama is closely monitoring the situation in conjunction with athletics and public safety officials. Additionally, the school is urging fans to stay aware of weather updates and following official UA Safety channels for important information.
In 2024, then-presidential candidate Trump visited Bryant-Denny Stadium with Kid Rock, John Daly, Tommy Tuberville and Georgia great Herschel Walker to see the Tide roll over the Dawgs
Both the No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide enter the Week 6 tilt at 5-0, although Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs are a narrow favorite over Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide.
Currently, there are lingering showers forecast for Saturday evening in Tuscaloosa, which could be battling flooding issues by that part of the day.
‘Best possible case is for a faster-moving system,’ said James Spann of the Alabama Weather Network. ‘Rain could end before kickoff with diminishing wind. That is a very real possibility. But, with current NHC forecast, rain is still likely for the game with winds of 20-30 MPH. And, a tornado threat is on the table as well with Isaias’ passing to the west.’
The SEC said in a statement on Tuesday that it is ‘keeping an eye on forecasts and staying in communication with schools with games that could be impacted by weather.’
Two years ago, meanwhile, Trump was among the 100,000-strong crowd as Alabama edged Georgia in a dramatic clash in Tuscaloosa.
That night, Trump – then the Republican presidential candidate – was joined by Kid Rock, ex-Auburn coach and current US Senator Tommy Tuberville, Bulldogs legend Herschel Walker, and country music superstar Hank Williams Jr.
The star-studded suite also featured UFC star Colby Covington and golf legend John Daly.
Greeting Trump in Tuscaloosa were countless stickers referencing his controversial comments about Haitian immigrants.
‘They’re eating the Dawgs,’ read the tag line, in a nod to Georgia’s football team and baseless claims – repeated by Trump – that illegal immigrants were eating domestic pets in Ohio.
