Why Did Donald Trump Leave the Super Bowl Early After Spending $20 Million on the Appearance?

Despite spending millions to attend the Super Bowl, Donald Trump left the stadium before the game ended.

The cost of attending such a major event, even for the former President, is significant.

It’s estimated that Trump spent between $15 million and $20 million, considering the expenses for secret service protection, air travel, a motorcade, stadium security modifications, and local law enforcement.

Trump was the first sitting President to attend the Super Bowl, and his departure around 8 p.m. local time—just as Kendrick Lamar was performing at halftime—led to speculation. One theory suggests that Trump may have left due to his support for the Kansas City Chiefs, who were trailing the Philadelphia Eagles at the time.

While Trump has never publicly declared his team allegiance, there were rumors that Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany Mahomes, is a Trump supporter. Additionally, Chiefs’ player Travis Kelce remarked that it was an honor to perform in front of any president.

However, when the Chiefs lost 40-22, some fans jokingly connected the result to Trump leaving early, with one fan noting how Kelce might have felt if Trump had left because his team was losing.

Another theory is that Trump was put off by Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance. Many interpreted certain elements of Lamar’s performance as a protest against Trump.

For example, one line in the show, “The revolution is about to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy,” seemed to target Trump directly.

Lamar also referenced the historical promise of “forty acres and a mule” for freed slaves, and even featured Samuel L. Jackson portraying “Uncle Sam.”

Some Twitter users speculated that Trump may have left due to feeling insulted by these statements.

Finally, a third theory suggests logistical reasons for his early departure. Given the tight security for a former president, it’s common for high-profile individuals to leave large events before they conclude to avoid congestion and security risks.

With the motorcade needing road closures, it’s possible that Trump’s departure was simply a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of everyone involved.