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Trump Signs Executive Order to Preserve Army-Navy Game
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith criticizes the president's move to keep the annual matchup a standalone event.
Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:54am
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to preserve the annual Army-Navy football game as a standalone event during the college football season. The order aims to prevent the game from being overshadowed by other high-profile matchups. However, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith strongly criticized the president's decision, questioning Trump's authority to dictate what games the broadcast networks should air.
Why it matters
The Army-Navy game is considered one of the most storied rivalries in college sports, with a long tradition dating back to 1890. Trump's executive order is an attempt to protect the game's unique status, but critics argue the president is overstepping his bounds by interfering in the scheduling decisions of college football and television networks.
The details
Trump signed the 'Preserving America's Game' executive order during the Midshipmen's visit to the White House on Friday to celebrate their Commander-in-Chief's Trophy victory. The order promises to keep the Army-Navy game as a standalone event, preventing it from being overshadowed by other high-profile matchups like Ohio State vs. Notre Dame or LSU vs. Alabama. However, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith harshly criticized the president's move, questioning Trump's authority to dictate which games the broadcast networks should air.
- Trump signed the executive order on Friday, March 22, 2026.
- The annual Army-Navy game is typically played on the second Saturday in December.
The players
President Donald Trump
The 45th President of the United States who signed the 'Preserving America's Game' executive order.
Stephen A. Smith
A prominent ESPN commentator who strongly criticized Trump's executive order on his SiriusXM radio show.
What they’re saying
“Who the hell does this man think he is? Every single time I try to be fair and fair-minded to this president, he pulls some BS like this. It really pisses me off. It really pisses me off. Who the hell does he think he is?”
— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Commentator
What’s next
The executive order is expected to face legal challenges, as Trump acknowledged the likelihood of a lawsuit. The impact on the scheduling of other college football games and television broadcasts remains to be seen.
The takeaway
Trump's executive order to preserve the Army-Navy game as a standalone event has sparked criticism from prominent figures like Stephen A. Smith, who argue the president is overstepping his authority and interfering in the operations of college football and television networks. The move highlights the ongoing tension between tradition, commercial interests, and the role of the presidency in sports.
