Topline

Sports talk show host Pat McAfee sat beside President Donald Trump at the “Patriot Games” finale in Ohio on Tuesday, in the latest link-up between the president and the brash host.

Key Facts

Trump and McAfee met on a rainy tarmac in Cleveland, greeting each other before walking away and waving to supporters.

The two then walked together in what appeared to be the opening ceremony for the Patriot Games final, leading a group of athletes to fanfare and cold spark machines.

Key Background

McAfee has not identified himself as a Trump supporter, but critics insist he has a cozy relationship with the president. He hosted Trump on “The Pat McAfee Show” last year, chatting with the president over the phone amid a historically long government shutdown. Trump told McAfee, a former NFL player, he only appeared on his show “because I hear you say such nice things about me.” McAfee defended himself from criticism for having Trump on his show, saying he also extended an invite to former President Barack Obama that fell through because of scheduling differences. “In my eyes he’s the leader of the military and we were celebrating the hell out of Veteran’s Day,” McAfee said in a later talk show appearance, referring to Trump.

NEWS PEG

Tuesday’s final is taking place at the SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio, and will be broadcast on ABC on Thursday night. Five male athletes and five female athletes are competing in Tuesday’s final following days of competition that began with 120 participants. Only one male and one female will be able to win the competition, coming away with $125,000 in scholarship money each.

What Are The Patriot Games?

The competition involved 120 high school students aged 14 to 17 who were selected through an application and screening process. One boy and one girl were selected from each U.S. state, while another 20 participants were selected from U.S. territories and tribal nations. Competitions in the Patriot Games have included dodgeball, kickball, military-inspired circuits and tug of war. The Patriot Games are one of several programs organized by the Trump-backed Freedom 250 organization to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.