President Donald Trump, accompanied by his eldest daughter Ivanka and granddaughter Kai, received a thunderous reception at the College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami on Monday night. The crowd at Hard Rock Stadium roared as Mr Trump waved during The Star-Spangled Banner before the Miami Hurricanes faced the Indiana Hoosiers.
Ivanka, wearing an all-black outfit and sunglasses, placed her hand on her heart during the national anthem. Kai, daughter of Donald Trump Jr, had her left arm in a sling after undergoing surgery for wrist injuries, which she revealed on social media earlier this month.
Ivanka's husband, Jared Kushner, and their two sons were also present, along with Kai's mother, Vanessa. Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, and their children Carolina and Luke were also in attendance, according to reports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a University of Miami law graduate, was seen on the sidelines, along with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and UFC CEO Dana White.
In an interview with OutKick founder Clay Travis, Mr Rubio jokingly said he would be ready to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins after his term at the State Department ends. Standing next to his son Anthony, who plays for the University of Florida, Mr Rubio said: 'When I’m done with this, I’m all ready for it after that.'
Mr Trump's warm welcome was unsurprising given his popularity in Florida, which he has called home since 2019. He won the state with 56.1 per cent of the vote and Indiana with 58.6 per cent in the 2024 presidential election. Ahead of the game, he wrote a message congratulating both teams and wishing them well.
