President Trump Plans to Attend LSU at Alabama Showdown

Alabama vs. LSU, No. 1 vs. No. 2, just got a little bigger as the President of the United States is planning to be at Bryant-Denny Stadium

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — BamaCentral has learned that the University of Alabama is making preparations for President Donald Trump to attend the LSU game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.

Numerous sources have confirmed his expected visit. 

The potential No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, depending on the initial rankings by the College Football Playoff committee Tuesday night, will be shown on CBS at 2:30p.m. CT. 

The high-profile game was already attracting a lot of attention, including ESPN's pregame show “College Gameday." However, Trump’s visit contributed to the decision for the stage to be moved due to security concerns, from the Walk of Champions just outside the stadium to near Denny Chimes on the Quad.

The stage for the “Marty & McGee” show and “SEC Nation” will be set up on the lawn of Moore Hall (across University Boulevard). 

The President attended the National Championship Game in Atlanta at the end of the 2017 season. He left at halftime, with the Crimson Tide trailing, before Alabama came back to defeat Georgia in overtime, 26-23.

He was on the field for the National Anthem and sat in a private box behind the Alabama sideline. President Trump departed the stadium during halftime when Georgia led Alabama 13-0.

“It was truly a win for the ages,” President Trump said when Alabama later visited the White House on April 10. “I don’t know if you know, but I was there.”

He added: “It will go down as one of the most exciting finishes in college football history — of any sport.”

The ceremony at the White House was held on the South Lawn, but beforehand President Trump welcomed head coach Nick Saban, university President Stuart R. Bell and Athletic Director Greg Byrne, into the Oval Office.

President Trump has attended a couple of recent sporting events, including a World Series game in Washington D.C. between the Nationals and Houston Astros on Oct. 27.

When shown on the Jumbotron fans booed, with some chanting "Lock him up.”

Over the weekend he also attended a UFC match in New York’s Madison Square Garden, and was again booed. 

It'll be President Trump's second visit to the state this year. In March, he and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Lee County to survey tornado damage. He met with first responders, survivors, and local officials.

Meanwhile, President Trump welcomed the Nationals to the White House on Monday: