in-town pool report #6 -- football

The event with the Indiana University championship football team was open to pre-registered media, but here are the highlights from the South Lawn:

At 4:14, the team descended the steps and took their place behind the lectern. At 4:16, to Hail to the Chief, President Trump, accompanied by IU coach Curt Cignetti, was introduced. “I watched this game. I watched these guys. They can play,” said the president who then introduced the VIPs seated among the almost-900 in the audience, starting with Vice President JD Vance and six cabinet members, two senators, multiple House members and – clearly the stars for the president – the Republicans who defeated seven of the eight legislators who had crossed him on redistricting.

He then talked about the team’s exploits and the successes of Cignetti. “Where is Curt Cignetti?” he asked, looking around, only to have the coach, who was standing next to him, tap him. He then talked about QB Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who did not show up at the White House because of his duties to the Las Vegas Raiders, who took him in the recent draft.

“He’s a big fan,” said the president. “You wouldn’t know it because he didn’t show up. I’m not happy.” But then he added, “He’s a big fan of what we’re doing for the country.” He said if Mendoza was not a fan, he wouldn’t have mentioned his name.

After more football talk, he asked Cignetti about the coming season. “We’ve got a chance,” he said, to which the president said, “Is he Central Casting or what?” At that point, he veered off to talk about his ballroom, saying, “I’m very good at ballrooms.”

The team gave him a #47 jersey, a signed football and an IU helmet. Cignetti said they would let him keep the national championship trophy “for an NIL contribution.” The president, who is not a fan of the Name Image Likeness money now paid to players, responded, “Boy, oh boy, did the courts screw us up.” Then he quickly added, “seemed to work for you.”

At 4:43, the president led the players off for a tour of the Oval Office as the Marine Band played “We are the Champions.”