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The New York Giants fired back at President Donald Trump on Monday after he claimed he told the team to keep running back Saquon Barkley before he left for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Barkley and some of his Eagles teammates were at the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX victory.
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Running back Saquon Barkley, center, stands with his team as President Donald Trump welcomes the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles NFL football team to the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, April 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
“By the way, I have to tell you something,” Trump said while discussing Barkley’s tremendous feat against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he hurdled backward over a defender. “I was with the Giants and the head coach and some people and said, ‘Do anything you have to, but don’t lose Saquon.’ They lost Saquon.
“That was not good. I called that one. That was an easy one to call because he played damn well for the Giants. I can tell you that. He made the right decision because it is a team sport, and there’s great people on this team.”
However, the remark did not appear to sit well with Big Blue.
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President Donald Trump speaks as he welcomes the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles NFL football team to the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, April 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon told Front Office Sports “there were no conversations” between the organization and Trump about the star running back. Hanlon also remarked about Trump’s comments on social media.
“With all due respect, stop yapping. Be the leader we all want you to be. And my 401K wants you to be. I’m trying to retire!!” he added on X, tagging the president’s account.
Barkley hung out with the president on Sunday. He was seen at Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, before he flew back to Washington with the president on Air Force One.
He defended his decision to kick it with Trump in a post before the White House celebration.
President Donald Trump speaks as he welcomes the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles NFL football team to the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, April 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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“lol some people are really upset cause I played golfed and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT. Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand. Just golfed with Obama not too long ago…and look forward to finishing my round with Trump ! Now ya get out my mentions with all this politics and have amazing day.”
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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