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Trump expected to attend NASCAR’s Daytona 500 after Super Bowl LIX appearance

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President Donald Trump was at Super Bowl LIX last weekend to see the Philadelphia Eagles clobber the Kansas City Chiefs, and on Sunday, he is expected to attend NASCAR’s Super Bowl – the Daytona 500.

“The Great American Race” is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX at Daytona International Speedway, which kicks off the 2025 NASCAR season.

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President Donald Trump speaks before the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 in Florida, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

It’s the second time Trump is attending the race. He was there in 2020, and given the honor of being the grand marshal of the event as he ran for president. He said then on Fox News that he liked NASCAR because of the bravery of drivers pursuing “pure American glory.”

He said the Daytona 500 is a “legendary display of roaring engines, soaring spirits and the American skill, speed and power that we’ve been hearing about for so many years. The tens of thousands of patriots here today have come for the fast cars and the world-class motorsports. But NASCAR fans never forget that no matter who wins the race, what matters most is God, family and country.”

KYLE LARSON IS ON A TEAR IN 2025. CAN HE KEEP IT GOING WITH A DAYTONA 500 WIN?

Bubba Wallace drives during a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, who got into a spat with Trump during the 2020 season, was asked during the week about the possibility of the president attending the race. He said he “couldn’t care less” if Trump showed up or not.

“We’re here to race. Not for the show,” Wallace added.

Chase Briscoe is on the pole for the race with Austin Cindric next to him on the front row. Wallace is in third.

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Kyle Larson waits while his crew makes adjustments to his car during a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Defending NASCAR champion Joey Logano qualified 10th.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025
Ricky Starks makes stunning WWE NXT appearance after release from rival company

The WWE Universe was left stunned on Tuesday as NXT wrapped up its latest episode as pro wrestling superstar Ricky Starks showed up to the building to address the crowd.

Starks was released from All Elite Wrestling on Monday following a months-long absence. He hadn’t been seen on AEW television since March 30, 2024, when he and Big Bill lost a tag-team match to Dante and Darius Martin.

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Ricky Starks at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, 2022, in San Diego, California. (Irvin Rivera/Getty Images for IMDb)

He made an appearance at a Game Changer Wrestling show at the American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and then appearances at House of Glory last month. He won the DEFY World Championship last week against defending champion KENTA.

Then, he was released. WWE didn’t appear to waste any time for him to show up.

“Holy crap!” NXT broadcaster Vic Joseph said as Starks appeared in the crowd.

Fans in attendance cheered Starks’ name as he addressed them.

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“It’s obvious you know who I am,” he said. “If NXT is the future of professional wrestling, well guess what? You need an absolute superstar of the future. If this is the hottest brand, well you need the hottest free agent right now, baby.”

Starks’ appearance in NXT is the latest example of a pro wrestler making a stunning jump to a rival company.

Ethan Page performed at AEW up until the summer of 2023, and then he was at Ring of Honor before he joined WWE last year. Shawn Spears was with AEW from its launch in 2019 before he rejoined WWE in February 2024 and started to perform in NXT.

On the flip side, former WWE stars Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin and MVP were among those to recently appear in AEW after their departure from the Connecticut-based company.

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The WWE Monday Night Raw Supershow Halloween event on Oct. 31, 2011, in Atlanta. (Moses Robinson/Getty Images)

It’s unclear what impact Starks will make right off the bat. But it was clear fans were excited for his arrival.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 13, 2025
Serena Williams explains Super Bowl LIX halftime show appearance amid criticism: ‘End of story’

Serena Wililams offered a simple explanation to address criticism she received after making an appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The tennis legend, who retired from the sport in 2022, posted a video on Instagram showing the behind-scenes leading up to her cameo.

Serena Williams dances during halftime of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

In the post, she shared a brief explanation why she accepted Lamar’s invitation.

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“When @kendricklamar and team called and was like ‘we’ve been trying to do something forever, what about this? We loved your crip walk at the Olympics after you won the gold medal.’ I’m like Super Bowl? Are you serious?

“When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a superbowl? (Never) let’s do it!”

Williams’ added that she knew her “winning dance” at the 2012 Olympic Games in London “would pay off one day.”

Serena Williams dances during halftime of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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“End of story,” she added.

Williams’ explanation comes after she faced criticism for her choice of dance and for performing alongside the rival of rapper Drake, with whom Williams was previously involved in a relationship.

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith was among those who criticized Williams, saying he would divorce his wife if she was “trolling her ex.”

Serena Williams dances on stage during halftime of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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But Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, defended Williams

“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows…. This is bigger than the music,” he said in a post on X.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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February 13, 2025
Trump will ‘soil’ Super Bowl LIX with possible historic appearance, columnist says

As the countdown for Super Bowl LIX continues, a high-profile U.S. political figure is expected to be on hand.

Punchbowl News was first to report that President Donald Trump will likely be in attendance when the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles go head-to-head in this year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans. The Associated Press confirmed the report, citing a White House official.

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The Caesars Superdome is being prepared for Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome on January 16, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

A source familiar with the matter also told Fox News Digital he would be at the game.

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

Trump would be the first sitting president to attend the game, per the New York Post.

News of Trump’s impending visit to Caesars Superdome this Sunday sparked strong reactions. On Tuesday, an op-ed piece from USA Today columnist Mike Freeman addressed the president’s reported decision to watch the NFL’s championship game in person. Freeman characterized Trump as “the most divisive president of our lifetime.”

He asserted that the Super Bowl is typically a moment in which the majority of Americans come together, despite their differences.

“We put aside politics. We put aside our differences. We take part in a great American tradition,” Freeman noted.

The Caesars Superdome is being prepared for Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome on January 16, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

However, instead of allowing the big game to take on its annual role “as a genuine moment of unity,” Freeman argued that Trump’s presence could sully the moment’s integrity.

“Trump soils everything. Now, he’s doing the same to the biggest game of the year,” he continued.

Freeman also pointed to some of the likely logistical concerns Trump’s presence would create for security personnel leading up to and during Sunday.

“There’s a reason sitting presidents don’t normally go. It’s potentially a security nightmare. But also, to me, they want the game to be the center of attention, not them,” he wrote.

Trump did not attend many NFL games during his first term in the White House. However, he did make an appearance at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the New York Jets in October following a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

The president has been a more frequent guest at college football games over the last few years. He made his presence felt at the Alabama-Georgia game in September and attended the Army-Navy game following the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

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Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

Before the game kicks off, Trump will speak with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier. The pre-taped interview took place at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and will air in the 3 p.m. ET hour on Super Bowl Sunday.

The news of Trump’s upcoming appearance coincided with a report from The Athletic about the NFL’s decision to switch the “End Racism” end zone signage to messages of “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us.” The messages are one facet of the league’s multilayered “Inspire Change,” which was created in 2018 and makes efforts to advance diversity and inclusion.

Super Bowl LIX will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET. Pregame coverage can be seen on FOX beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Tubi will also stream coverage on its platform for the first time.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 5, 2025
Chiefs’ DeAndre Hopkins sends inspirational message before 1st Super Bowl appearance

Kansas City Chiefs star DeAndre Hopkins had an inspirational message for young fans who have followed his career since the very beginning.

Hopkins is getting ready to play in his first Super Bowl when the Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Chiefs acquired Hopkins in a trade with the Tennessee Titans before the deadline. He appeared in 10 games and had 41 catches for 437 yards and four touchdowns.

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Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs against Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Dec. 21, 2024. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)

He wrote an empathetic post to those children who are struggling like he was.

“To all the kids out there living in small towns, in small houses, with single parents,” he wrote on X. “To the kids who see violence, who see loss, who don’t get the resources they deserve, but who still have big dreams.

“Know that I was a kid in your exact shoes and this week I’m playing in the Super Bowl. Don’t give up, work hard, keep believing. Where you start doesn’t determine where you end up.”

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs with the ball past Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam during the AFC Championship game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Hopkins emerged as one of the top receivers in the league in the prime of his career with the Texans. From 2017 through 2020, he was a Pro Bowler even. He played seven years with Houston, three with the Arizona Cardinals and a season and a half with the Titans.

The Chiefs added Hopkins as they dealt with a slew of injuries to the offense. He may not have been the Pro Bowl receiver, but he did enough to help the Chiefs to a 15-2 record in the regular season.

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Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

He will likely be called upon to make one or two big plays against the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 3, 2025