New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is receiving plenty of backlash after introducing President Donald Trump at a recent political rally.
“Big Blue nation, it’s a pleasure to be here,” Dart, 23, told a crowd in Suffern, New York, on Friday, May 22, during a campaign-like rally for Republican congressman Mike Lawler, who is up for reelection in a tough swing district. “What an honor, what a privilege it is to be here, and without further ado, I’m grateful, I’m honored, I’m pleasured to introduce the 45th and 47th president of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump.”
Dart then shook the nearly 80-year-old president’s hand after he appeared on stage.
“I want to thank Jaxson Dart,” Trump said after his introduction and before praising the young quarterback for his football prowess. “This is going to be a future Hall of Famer in my book. Thank you, thank you Jaxson. Lot of talent.”
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The president went on to refer to Dart multiple times during his speech, at one point remarking on the NFL player’s physical appearance, calling him a “beautiful guy” with “legs like tree trunks.”
“I’m looking at Jaxson,” Trump said while discussing his goal of banning all transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. “I’d like to know, is there any woman in the audience that thinks they can tackle that guy? Because I’d like to meet you. I’d like to shake your hand. I don’t know. Jackson, you think you can play against women OK?”
The president continued, “Don’t get involved, Jackson. Don’t answer that question.”
While Dart’s remarks were brief and his time on stage short, he received online backlash from some fans and even a few of his fellow teammates.
“Though this s*** was AI, what we doing man?” linebacker and fellow 2025 first round pick Abdul Carter wrote via X on Saturday, May 23, while re-sharing a video of the rally and Dart’s short introductory speech.
Dart did not respond to this teammates online criticism at the time of publication.
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Veteran Giants offensive tackle Jermaine Eleumunor seemingly came to Dart’s defense, telling New York Daily News’ Giants beat writer Pat Leonard to “relax” in response to his reaction over Dart’s campaign rally appearance.
Dart will start just his second year in the NFL this fall, finishing his rookie season with a 4-8 record, completing 63.7% of his passes for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns. He finished fourth in the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award voting.
