In a pre-Super Bowl interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, former President Donald Trump expressed his strong disagreement with a judicial order restricting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury funds. He also commended Elon Musk's leadership of DOGE, highlighting Musk's dedication despite not profiting from the role.
Trump suggested Musk investigate potential waste and fraud within the Department of Education and the military, echoing his campaign promises. He also offered his Super Bowl prediction, favoring the Kansas City Chiefs, who ultimately lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The former president's appearance contrasted with current President Biden's decision to forgo the traditional Super Bowl interview for the second consecutive year. This absence drew criticism, with former Obama advisor David Axelrod calling it a "major sign of trouble" for Biden's then-upcoming campaign. Axelrod noted Trump's active engagement with the Super Bowl festivities, further emphasizing Biden's absence.
Trump's interview covered various topics, including his praise for Musk and his intention to direct DOGE towards further investigations into government spending. He emphasized his commitment to uncovering fraud and abuse, a key theme of his presidency.
Biden's decision to decline Super Bowl interviews in both 2023 and 2024, despite participating in pre-game interviews in the two prior years, sparked considerable debate. Political commentators and journalists questioned the rationale behind this choice, particularly during an election year. Some, like James Carville, viewed it as a sign of lacking confidence from Biden and his team.
Biden's limited engagement with the media throughout his presidency, coupled with his eventual withdrawal from the race after a challenging debate performance, fueled further speculation about his decision to bypass the Super Bowl interview platform. Reporters like CNN's Jake Tapper openly questioned Biden's apprehension towards the interview, while Bloomberg reporter Saleha Mohsin described the decision as "telling." The implications of this choice were widely discussed in the media landscape.
