The New York Jets quarterback, who was considered as a running mate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this year, posts a picture of him meeting the former president at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey.
- Jun 4, 2024
AceShowbiz - Aaron Rodgers isn't totally against Donald Trump after all. Despite previously calling out the former president on social media, the New York Jets quarterback gushed over his recent meeting with the politician.
Taking to Instagram Story on Sunday, June 2, the 40-year-old shared a picture of him and Trump shaking hands at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey. On the top of the snap, he wrote, "Priceless."
Hours prior to that, Aaron was dragged by pro-Trump commenters. The backlash came after a video circulating online showed him sitting with former Green Bay Packers teammate Mercedes Lewis as Trump walked to his seat with UFC President Dana White.
Many social media users have since ripped Aaron for "disrespecting" Trump by not standing when the latter walked in. While it remains unclear if the athlete caught wind of the criticism, the handshake photo post on Sunday could be his response to it.
Aaron is no stranger to the political circuit at this point. He was considered as a running mate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this year, and recently acknowledged those discussions at a Jets press conference.
"I love Bobby," the footballer said. "We had a couple of really nice conversations. But there were really two options - it was retire and be his VP or keep playing. And I want to keep playing."
Aaron has also spoken out against both Trump and President Joe Biden. "My thing is [Trump] had four years to do it and didn't drain the swamp," the four-time NFL MVP told Tucker Carlson last month. "And whether he just got scared because of what he learned when he was in there - I think it's very plausible."
As for Trump, he was recently convicted on felony charges related to falsifying business records to influence the 2016 election. Despite this legal setback, his public appearances, including at the UFC event, are calculated efforts to project strength and appeal to potential voters, particularly young and minority groups.