A Proud Moment for the Midshipmen: President Trump Presents Commander-in-Chief Trophy and Champions ‘America’s Game’ with Historic Executive Order
On December 13, 2025, at the 126th Army-Navy football game, dubbed “America’s Game,” the Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy beat the Black Knights of the U.S. Military Academy.
Because both teams defeated the Air Force Academy earlier in the season, the coveted Commander-in-Chief’s trophy was secured by Navy. The trophy is awarded annually to the winner of the round-robin series among the three U.S. service academies.
President Trump was in attendance for the game as he was as President-Elect in 2016 and in 2024, and three times while he was President, each time receiving a boisterous and enthusiastic welcome from the crowd.
On Friday, the Midshipmen joined President Trump at the White House, where he presented the team with the Commander-in-Chief trophy.
President Trump addressed the players and coaches, “And they’re really amazing. For the second year in a row, it’s my great honor to officially present the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the one and only Navy Midshipmen football team.”
“With 11 wins and 2 losses, playing the best teams in football. I used to always think of the military services, they played like a little step below. It’s not true. They play the big teams, and they beat them.”
“These players achieved one of the most impressive seasons in Navy football history and any football history, frankly. And I just want to congratulate the midshipmen. I met them backstage, and they’re great. Thank you. Congratulations.”
JUST IN: The room is ELECTRIC for President Trump as he announces the Commander-in-Chief trophy for the Navy Midshipmen football team
“These players achieved one of the most IMPRESSIVE seasons in football history!”
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— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 20, 2026
The President also signed Preserving America’s Game, an Executive Order mandating the Army-Navy game’s exclusive late-season timeslot to squelch attempts to move it to an earlier spot in the season.
For over a century, the Army-Navy Game, known as “America’s Game,” has stood as a symbol of excellence and the American spirit. Now, the recent and potentially ongoing expansion of the College Football Playoffs (CFP) and other postseason college football games threatens to encroach upon the second Saturday in December — a date traditionally reserved exclusively for “America’s Game.” Such scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War. Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that no college football game, specifically college football’s CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army‑Navy Game.
“Such scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a… pic.twitter.com/JxhKnvkcI8
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 20, 2026
Introduced by Navy Head Coach Brian Newberry, the team’s co-captains, nose guard Landon Robinson and standout quarterback Blake Horvath, presented the President with a special helmet and football and shared some laughs.
Horvath said, “Well, first, Mr. President, it is just an honor to be here.”
Trump held up the helmet he was gifted and noted, “This is really heavy. You must have strong necks.”
Horvath quipped, “Well, you’re the healthiest guy here, so you have the neck to do it, yes, sir,” and the team good-naturedly chuckled.
He continued, “I just want to thank you so much for having us here, it is an absolute honor. Last year I was hesitant to say it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, because I knew we’d be back this year. I’m glad I can now say it’s a twice-in-a-lifetime experience and couldn’t have done it without our whole team here. Our support staff from the strength and the trainers to all these guys and all the guys who are still at school right now in class. Thanks to all of them. And just for everybody for supporting us and, you know, go Navy, beat everybody.”
Robinson added, “You know, first off, thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to be here. Blake said it, said most of it, but I’m just so thankful to all my teammates. All my coaches for all the hard work they’ve put in. It’s very hard to go 11-2 in a season, but I couldn’t be more proud to play for Navy football, and I couldn’t be more proud to represent the United States Naval Academy. So go Navy, beat Army forever.”
.@NavyFB co-captains @LandonRobinson and @HorvathBlake present @POTUS with a special helmet and football
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— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 20, 2026
Robinson, a highly regarded player, was named a First-Team All-American by outlets such as the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today in 2025, and was also named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was featured on The Athletic’s “Freaks List” multiple times.
Horvath had an outstanding 2025 season, leading Navy’s signature triple-option offense. In the 2025 season, he passed for 1,580 yards and 12 TDs. Showing his dual-threat skills, he had 224 carries for 1,200 yards with 16 TDs.
He was a third-team All-AAC selection, and he earned MVP honors for his Navy Liberty Bowl victory over Cincinnati.
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