President Trump has signed an executive order to ensure the iconic Army-Navy football rivalry does not clash with any other game.
For more than a century, the two military academies have clashed on the gridiron, typically on the second Saturday in December. In their most recent meeting on December 13, 2025, Trump watched Navy secure a 17-16 win.
The rivalry has become known as ‘America’s Game’ and Trump believes it stands ‘as a symbol of excellence and the American spirit.’ Now, in response to the ‘expansion’ of postseason college football, Trump has signed an order entitled: ‘Preserving America’s Game.’
On Friday, he handed over the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team at the White House. Their 17-16 win in December kicked off just 30 minutes before Washington beat Boise State in the LA Bowl.
And Trump, who attended last year’s game alongside secretary of war Pete Hegseth, said the aim of the order is to ‘establish an exclusive window for the Army-Navy Game, during which no other college football game is broadcast.’
President Trump has signed an executive order to ‘preserve’ the Army-Navy football rivalry
On Friday, the president welcomed the Navy Midshipmen football team to the White House
Navy secured a 17-16 win over Army in their last meeting in Baltimore back in December 2025
‘For over a century, the Army-Navy Game, known as “America’s Game,” has stood as a symbol of excellence and the American spirit,’ the order reads.
‘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.’
Bodies including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the NCAA and the CFP Committee will be responsible for implementing the policy.
CBS has broadcast Army vs. Navy since 1996 and has the exclusive rights until 2038. Back in January, Trump revealed that he was planning to take action.
‘The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions – Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor!’ he wrote on Truth Social.
‘This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!
Trump presented Navy with the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy during their White House visit
The president attended last year’s game alongside secretary of war Pete Hegseth
‘Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy!
‘I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!
‘On the field, they are rivals, but on the battlefield they are America’s unstoppable Patriots, defending our Country with tremendous Strength and Heart.
‘We must protect the Tradition, and the Players, who protect us. Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets. God Bless America, and God Bless our great Army-Navy Game!!!’
