President Trump Is Still Pushing For Two NFL Rules Changes

The President of the United States is continuing to push for two NFL rules changes as we head into the 2026 season.

President Trump, 80, has been fairly outspoken in his criticism of the National Football League over the years. The President of the United States has attended several big games, including the Super Bowl, since taking office. He's made it clear, though, that he wants to see two rules changes as we head into the 2026 season:

• Get rid of the new kickoff rule
• Put more rules in place for games on streaming platforms

President Trump has been fed up, in particular, with how many games have been moving toward streaming.

"It's tough," Trump said earlier this month. "You've got people that love football. They're great people. They don't make enough money to go and pay this. It's tough. And they could be killing the golden goose."

"They have to be careful because, you know, others have tried this, and all of a sudden you don't have a sport anymore," Trump warned. "There's something very sad when they take football away from many, many people. Very sad. I don't like it."

President Trump, meanwhile, is demanding that the kickoff rule - which is meant to be safer and encourage more returns - is changed.

"I hate the kickoff in football. I think it's so terrible; I think it's so demeaning. I think it hurts the game and hurts the pageantry," Trump told Pat McAfee back in October. "I've told that to Roger Goodell. And I don't think it's any safer. I mean, you still have guys crashing into each other."

"The ball is in the air and nobody is moving," Trump continued. "It's supposed to be when the ball is in the air, when the ball is played, you're supposed to be moving. The pageantry of the game is so badly hurt. The NFL, they do what they want to do. I don't think they'll change. I hope college football doesn't change, because the power of the kickoff was so beautiful."

NFL fans disagree with President Trump's rules suggestions

While NFL fans don't hate President Trump's suggestion to put less games on streaming platforms, they very much disagree with him on the kickoff rule change.

"It's better for the longterm health of the players," one wrote.

"The kickoff rule change has been great. President Trump is wrong," one added.

"President Trump is wrong," one added.

"He doesn't know what he's talking about with this one," another shared.

What do you make of President Trump's suggestions?

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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 9:15 AM.