Trump jokes he 'wanted to race' Saquon Barkley but elected to skip it

Fox News - Apr 28th, 2025

President Donald Trump, before departing on Air Force One, spoke to reporters about his recent time with Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley. The two were seen together at Trump's Bedminster golf course and later traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Eagles' scheduled White House visit to celebrate their Super Bowl victory. While Barkley did not speak to reporters, Trump's joking remark about racing the athlete highlighted their camaraderie. This lighthearted interaction came amidst anticipation of the Eagles' official visit to the White House, which was confirmed by a White House official.

The Eagles' upcoming visit marks a significant change from 2018, when the team declined a White House invitation due to Trump's criticism of national anthem protests. The current visit is described by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie as a 'time-honored tradition,' demonstrating a shift in the team's stance. However, not all players have explicitly confirmed their attendance, with quarterback Jalen Hurts notably silent on the matter when questioned. This situation underscores ongoing tensions between athletes and political figures, reflecting broader societal debates on sports and politics.

Donald Trump Super Bowl Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts Saquon Barkley White House Visit Jeffrey Lurie National Anthem Protests

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RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The story provides a comprehensive overview of President Trump's interaction with the Philadelphia Eagles and their upcoming White House visit. It accurately reports on the sequence of events and includes relevant historical context. The article is timely and addresses topics of public interest, such as the intersection of sports and politics. However, it could benefit from more balanced representation of perspectives, particularly those of Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, through direct quotes. The source quality is generally reliable, but the absence of direct statements from key figures leaves some gaps. Overall, the story is clear and engaging, with the potential to influence public opinion and spark discussion, but it could improve in areas of balance and source diversity to enhance its impact and engagement further.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as President Trump spending time with Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles' scheduled visit to the White House. These claims are generally accurate, as they are supported by quotes and context provided in the story. However, the story lacks direct quotes from Saquon Barkley, which would have strengthened the factual accuracy regarding his perspective on the visit. Additionally, the historical context of the Eagles' past interactions with the White House is accurately mentioned, providing a truthful background to the current events.

Balance

The story provides a balanced view of the events by covering both Trump's and the Eagles' perspectives. However, it leans slightly towards presenting Trump's side, as it includes his quotes and actions more prominently. The absence of direct comments from Saquon Barkley or Jalen Hurts regarding their views on the White House visit creates a slight imbalance, as these perspectives are crucial for a well-rounded understanding of the situation.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the sequence of events, making it easy for readers to follow. The language is straightforward, and the use of direct quotes from President Trump adds clarity to his statements. However, the story could benefit from more explicit transitions between different sections to enhance the logical flow and ensure that readers can easily grasp the connections between various points.

Source quality

The story cites credible sources, including direct quotes from President Trump and references to past events involving the Eagles and the White House. The use of AP Photo credits and mentions of Fox News Digital as a contributor add to the reliability of the information. However, the lack of direct quotes or statements from Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts leaves some gaps in source quality, as their perspectives are inferred rather than directly reported.

Transparency

The story is transparent in its reporting, providing context for the Eagles' visit to the White House and the historical background of their interactions with President Trump. It clearly identifies the sources of its information, such as AP Photo and Fox News Digital. However, it could improve transparency by disclosing the absence of direct quotes from key figures like Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, which would clarify the basis for certain claims.