Trump arrives at Army-Navy game amid deadly Syrian ambush on US troops

President Donald Trump arrived at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday for the 126th installment of the Army-Navy game, hours after officials said two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. interpreter were killed in an ambush attack in Syria.

The president announced the attack in a Truth Social post shared just an hour before the attack began.

“We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots, two soldiers and a Civilian Translator in Syria. We also pray for the three wounded soldiers who have just been confirmed to be in good condition,” Trump said. he said.

“This was an attack by ISIS against the United States and Syria, which is in a very dangerous part of Syria that it cannot fully control. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be a very serious retaliation. Thank you for your interest in this matter!”

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Trump is expected to attend the game for the seventh time on Saturday. He attended every year from 2016 to 2020, as well as last year. The 2016 game was also the last time the game was played in Baltimore; here Army broke Navy’s 14-game winning streak against the Black Knights by winning 21-17.

“I’m getting ready to land at Fort McHenry for a quick trip to the Army-Navy Game. Everyone’s asking who I support, the Army or the Navy? My answer is: “You must be kidding if you think I’m going to give you that answer!” Trump later posted: Real Social.

After the national anthem, Trump tossed a coin to midfield and shook hands with the players.

Last year’s game was played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, home of the Washington Commanders. Trump attended the game with Vice President J.D. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Elon Musk, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Daniel Penny, who was acquitted of charges related to the death of Jordan Neely.

President Donald Trump takes the field before the start of the 126th Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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Last year, Army won the AAC, the first conference title in the program’s storied history. The Black Knights were ranked in the top 25 before losing to Navy 31-13. This year is Army’s chance to seek redemption.

This game will determine the winner of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, which will be awarded to the winner of the Army, Navy and Air Force’s annual round-robin competition. Navy won the award last year by sweeping two other academies, marking the first time a team has won the trophy since 2017.

If all three teams are 1-1 against each other, the previous year’s winner keeps the trophy, but both Army and Navy have narrow wins against Air Force this season, making this week’s game a winner-take-all matchup.

Army hasn’t defeated an AP-ranked Navy team since 1955. The Midshipmen were ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings — but not in the AP Top 25 — when they lost to Army in 2016. Navy is ranked No. 22 in the AP poll but is not ranked by the CFP committee.

President Donald Trump takes the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Knights and Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on December 13, 2025. (Thoss Katopodis/Getty Images)

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Both teams have bowl bids. The Black Knights (6-5) play in the Fenway Bowl and the 9-2 Midshipmen play in the Liberty Bowl.

Navy finished first in the AAC and missed the league championship game due to tiebreakers. Tulane won the conference championship game and qualified for the College Football Playoff.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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