Entertainment
WATCH: Popular ESPN Host Snaps At Critics After Trump Interview: ‘He’s Hilarious’
Top-rated ESPN host Pat McAfee told critics to pound sand after he sat down for an interview with President Donald Trump on Veteran’s Day.
In honor of the nation’s veterans, the “Pat McAfee Show” celebrated the day with an energetic show from the Marine Corps recruiting depot at Parris Island. The highlight of the show was a 20-minute phone interview with President Donald Trump, however, which came as a complete surprise for viewers.
“I’m only joining you because I hear you say such nice things about me from your very large audience,” Trump joked at the start of the interview. He added that he selectively appears on shows where hosts are complimentary, quipping, “When people say nice about me, I join. When they don’t say nice about me, I take a pass.”
Honoring the holiday, Trump reflected on his administration’s improvements to the Department of Veterans Affairs, stating he had replaced “sadists” from the prior administration with “loving people” to better serve veterans. He asserted that “about 92 percent of veterans” supported him and later led a rousing “Ooh-rah!” chant with the show’s Marine audience.
Trump also discussed political matters, touting the recent government funding deal as a “big win against Democrats,” who he accused of pushing for free healthcare for undocumented immigrants during the 42-day shutdown.
Diving into sports, the president delivered a rant against the NFL’s revamped kickoff format, calling it “so bad,” “unromantic,” and “demeaning to football.” He argued it strips away the game’s pageantry and excitement, stating, “I don’t think they have a right to do that to the game… I hope someday the NFL will stop it and go back to football.”
Trump shared anecdotes from his recent attendance at the Ryder Cup, calling it a thrilling event, and voiced concerns about safety at 2026 World Cup venues. When asked which NFL coach might make a great president, he pivoted with a joke, stating that “some of these coaches would make great warring generals.” He also discussed his recent appearance on the broadcast of the Washington Commanders game and touched on the ongoing stadium negotiations for the club.
Mr. President why don't you drop an OORAH
"I will.. OORAH" ~ @POTUS
We love EVERYTHING about that #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/pfgAyceX5R
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 11, 2025
The interview was well received by McAfee’s audience, but he was also inundated with criticism given ESPN’s long-running reputation as a left-wing media outlet. McAfee was undeterred, however, delivering a blunt rebuke of any criticism he and his co-hosts have received by refusing to apologize.
“I will like to say, though, for the immediate people that are going to be mad about that happening. It’s the president of the United States, it’s Veteran’s Day. He’s the commander-in-chief,” the ESPN host said. “Obviously, if we have the opportunity to talk to him, we’re going to. And he is hilarious.”
WATCH: Pat McAfee just fired back at liberals upset at him for interviewing President Trump on Veterans Day:
"It's the President of the United States. It's Veterans Day. He's the Commander-in-Chief. If we have the opportunity to talk to him, we're going to."👏 pic.twitter.com/fGUQ7M7FKP
— CJ Pearson (@Cjpearson) November 11, 2025
