Eagles player Saquon Barkley defends playing golf with President Trump after he allegedly told the Giants not to let the running back go.

In a time where the intersection of sports and politics seems to be more prominent than ever, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley found himself at the center of a media storm after his recent golf outing with former President Donald Trump. The event, which occurred on April 27, 2025, quickly sparked backlash from fans, analysts, and critics who raised questions about Barkley’s decision to spend time with a divisive political figure.

As the NFL Draft and the lead-up to the 2025 season intensify, Barkley’s golfing with President Trump was not just about leisure, but also involved a complex set of circumstances. From Barkley’s strained relationship with the New York Giants to the broader public discourse about political affiliations and the role of athletes in such matters, Barkley found himself defending his actions. In a series of statements, social media posts, and interviews, Barkley made it clear that his actions were neither politically motivated nor meant to spark division but were about respect for the office of the presidency.

The Background: Barkley’s Complicated Relationship with the Giants

Saquon Barkley’s relationship with the New York Giants has been far from smooth in recent years. Although he quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic and promising running backs in the NFL after being drafted second overall in 2018, Barkley’s tenure with the Giants became increasingly contentious, particularly during contract negotiations in the years leading up to his departure from the team.

As one of the top offensive players in the NFL, Barkley had hoped to secure a lucrative long-term deal with the Giants. However, the franchise had been hesitant to commit to a massive contract, which led to a public back-and-forth between Barkley and team management. Barkley, at times, expressed frustration over what he perceived as a lack of respect for his talents and contributions to the team.

By 2024, Barkley’s contract situation had become a point of contention, especially after the Giants’ refusal to offer him a long-term deal that matched his value. Instead, the team applied the franchise tag, effectively tying him to the organization for just one more season. Despite his desire for a more permanent solution, Barkley was left to play out his contract under less-than-ideal circumstances.

The Deal with the Eagles

In March 2024, after a protracted and often heated negotiation process, Barkley made the decision to leave the Giants behind. The Philadelphia Eagles, one of the NFC’s top teams, signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal. This decision was seen as a fresh start for Barkley, giving him the opportunity to compete for a championship with a more stable and successful organization.

Barkley’s move to the Eagles also came with a sense of vindication. After months of feeling undervalued by the Giants, Barkley was now a key piece of an Eagles team that had just come off a Super Bowl win. In interviews after the signing, Barkley expressed excitement about playing in Philadelphia and the chance to win with a new team, but it was clear that the bitterness from his time with the Giants still lingered.

Rumors began circulating in the months following his move that the Giants’ front office had privately told Barkley not to leave. Some insiders speculated that the team was hesitant to let go of their star running back, worried about how his departure might affect their offensive game plan. However, as Barkley’s contract negotiations dragged on, the relationship between him and the team deteriorated, leading to his eventual exit.

The Golf Outing with President Trump

Amid the ongoing drama surrounding his career and his transition to the Eagles, Barkley’s recent golfing outing with former President Donald Trump became the center of attention. The outing, which took place at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on April 27, 2025, was a casual event, but it quickly turned political when photos and reports surfaced of the two spending the day together.

The decision to spend time with Trump, who remains a divisive figure in American politics, caused an immediate uproar. Many critics questioned Barkley’s choice to associate with someone who had sparked so much controversy during his presidency. Given the polarized nature of contemporary politics, Barkley’s actions were scrutinized by fans, analysts, and even some of his colleagues, with some calling it tone-deaf and others accusing him of endorsing Trump’s political views.

Some critics even alleged that Barkley’s time with Trump was an attempt to “mend fences” with the former president, especially after reports surfaced claiming that Trump had been involved in advising the Giants’ front office to keep Barkley. These rumors added another layer of complexity to Barkley’s decision to spend time with Trump, with many speculating that the meeting was not merely for recreation but had deeper, more strategic motivations.

Barkley’s Response to the Criticism

In response to the backlash, Barkley took to social media to defend his decision. In a series of posts on Twitter and Instagram, the Eagles running back explained that his relationship with the president was not based on politics but out of respect for the office itself. “Some people are really upset cause I played golf and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT. Maybe I just respect the office, not the person,” Barkley wrote in a tweet that quickly went viral.

Barkley went on to elaborate that he had always made an effort to remain politically neutral and had spent time with leaders from both sides of the aisle. He pointed out that he had previously met with former President Barack Obama and had even golfed with him, suggesting that his interactions with political figures were not tied to his personal political views but were instead gestures of respect for the country’s leadership.

“I don’t care about the politics. I respect the role of the president and what it means for our country,” Barkley continued. “This is about respect for the office, not about who holds it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have opportunities to meet both sides, and I’m grateful for that.”

Despite his attempt to clarify his position, the controversy continued to simmer, with both supporters and detractors continuing to voice their opinions. Some praised Barkley for his maturity in navigating the polarized political landscape, while others continued to criticize him for his association with a figure who remains deeply divisive in American politics.

The Broader Conversation on Athletes and Politics

Barkley’s golf outing with Trump highlighted a growing issue that athletes often face: the intersection of sports and politics. As more athletes use their platforms to speak out on social justice issues and engage with political figures, they are finding themselves scrutinized more than ever. The situation with Barkley underscores the complex position that modern athletes find themselves in, as they are expected to maintain a balance between their personal beliefs and the expectations of their fans.

While some fans appreciate athletes using their platform to advocate for social change, others argue that athletes should keep their personal political views out of the spotlight. The pressure on athletes to represent their teams and their sport, while also navigating their individual personal beliefs, is a difficult balancing act that often results in criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.

Barkley’s decision to spend time with President Trump, in many ways, represents this larger conversation. While some will see it as an innocuous meeting between two public figures, others will interpret it as an endorsement of Trump’s political ideology. The controversy surrounding Barkley’s actions only emphasizes the growing tension between politics and sports, and how athletes must carefully navigate these waters in an age of heightened political awareness.

Saquon Barkley’s golfing outing with former President Donald Trump, coupled with the ongoing controversy surrounding his departure from the New York Giants, has put the running back in the media spotlight in ways he likely didn’t anticipate. While Barkley has defended his decision to spend time with the former president as an act of respect for the office, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the role of athletes in political discourse and the difficult position they face in balancing personal beliefs with public expectations.

As the NFL season progresses and Barkley’s career with the Eagles continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how his public persona will evolve in light of the criticism he has faced. One thing is clear: as long as sports and politics remain intertwined, athletes like Saquon Barkley will continue to face scrutiny for their personal choices both on and off the field.