Aaron Rodgers posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Donald Trump after the quarterback appeared to snub the former president at UFC 302.
Trump and the New York Jets quarterback were among the big names heading to the Prudential Center for Islam Makhachev’s lightweight title clash against Dustin Poirier.
One clip, which went viral during the event, showed Trump walking past Rodgers, who may have been his political opponent, while the NFL star simply stared ahead.
Many other fans present at the show stood up to greet the former president. who was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records on Thursday. But Rodgers remained seated, even as Trump smiled in his direction.
In the footage, the Jets quarterback kept a straight face and did not appear to make eye contact with the vukkuibaure.
Aaron Rodgers posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Donald Trump at UFC 302
Aaron Rodgers didn’t recognize Donald Trump as he walked by during UFC 302
Trump commanded the attention of the 17,000 fans, even raising his fist at one point as the crowd chanted “fuck Joe Biden.”
In the next row, Rodgers appeared to lower his cap and cover his face. The awkward moment occurred just minutes after Rodgers appeared to ignore the 45th president.
On Sunday, however, Rodgers posted a photo of him and Trump shaking hands. “Priceless,” the 40-year-old wrote alongside the image.
The two may have been political rivals after Rodgers revealed how much he considered becoming Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate in this year’s presidential election.
Entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan eventually got the job, but Rodgers said, “I love Bobby.” We had a couple of really nice conversations.’
He added: “But there were actually two options.” It was either retire and be his vice president or continue playing. And he wanted to keep playing.”
Trump smiled in the direction of Rodgers and his former teammate Marcedes Lewis.
Chants of ‘USA, USA!’ broke out, after Trump followed the entrance of wrestler Sean Strickland
Rodgers and Kennedy Jr. have developed a relationship in recent years, and both men are notably skeptical of vaccines.
Rodgers evidently feels like he has unfinished business with the Jets after missing nearly the entire 2024 season (due to a torn Achilles tendon), in which the team limped to a 7-10 finish without him.
The quarterback couldn’t make the sensationally short in-season recovery he suggested was possible, but he still told reporters last month that he feels “really good.”
Trump received a standing ovation Saturday night at the Prudential Center following the conclusion of his hush money trial.
Aaron Rodgers hinted that it was his choice not to be RFK Jr.’s VP candidate.
Trump was convicted Thursday on 34 counts of falsifying business records
He entered the arena around 10 pm ET with UFC boss Dana White and was greeted with chants of ‘USA, USA!’ Trump was also warmly greeted by comedian Theo Von, who shook the president’s hand.
The jury in Trump’s trial found him guilty of falsifying business records to conceal hush payments made to former porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election campaign.
Each charge carries a possible maximum sentence of up to four years in prison.
Trump will be sentenced on July 11, although a prison sentence is unlikely to follow.