The New England Patriots were defeated 29-13 by the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl shortly after team owner Robert Kraft attended a film premiere alongside former President Donald Trump. The event, held on January 29, 2026, brought Kraft into close contact with Trump, whose support has recently been linked to losing streaks among major sports teams.
Connection Between Trump and Sporting Defeats Deepens
Although Trump did not explicitly back a particular team this year, simply appearing with him has been viewed as a poor omen. Kraft, who has a long-standing relationship with Trump and contributed $1 million to his re-election campaign, may now regret his proximity to the president given the Patriots’ decisive Super Bowl loss. This continues a pattern where teams associated with Trump or his endorsements have struggled in key matches.
Other Teams Affected by the So-Called Trump Curse
The New England Patriots are not alone in this trend. Back in November, the Washington Commanders lost badly to the Detroit Lions 44-22 soon after receiving public backing from Trump. Similarly, the New York Yankees endured a surprising defeat in the ALDS series 3-1 after Trump’s visit and encouragement. The phenomenon has even been seen beyond football and baseball, with Team USA losing the Ryder Cup to Europe following Trump’s appearance at Bethpage Black golf course.
High-Profile Predictions Backfire
One notable example happened last year when Trump confidently predicted a Super Bowl victory for the Kansas City Chiefs and their quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Speaking to Fox News, Trump stated,
“I guess you have to say that when a quarterback wins as much as he has won, I have to go with Kansas City.”
However, the Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious with a 40-22 win, defying the president’s forecast. Furthermore, Canada triumphed over the USA in the 4 Nations Face Off NHL final just hours after Trump made controversial remarks about annexing Canada.
Implications of the Trump Curse on Sports and Fans
The recurring pattern of losses following associations with Trump has left fans and sports figures uneasy, as the so-called “Trump curse” continues to bring disappointment to several teams across different sports. With major events like the Super Bowl and Ryder Cup affected, the impact of these connections appears significant and unlikely to be ignored by teams and owners in the near future.
