President Donald Trump will no longer attend Saturday’s SEC showdown between Alabama and Georgia.
Trump had been expected at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but announced Friday that he would skip the game because of the severe weather threat posed by Hurricane Isaias.
“Based on the fact that a huge Hurricane/Storm is coming, it is important to have our wonderful First Responders, Law Enforcement, and others, focused on that Storm, and in no way be thinking about the safety, or presence, of the President of the United States, ME!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday afternoon.
Trump said he still intends to visit both teams at games later in the season.
“Therefore, I will miss that potentially unbelievable Game, Alabama vs. Georgia but, hopefully, the Game will go on despite the weather! I will be visiting both of those Teams at a later date.”
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Hurricane Isaias was expected to reach the Gulf Coast late Friday evening, creating a significant threat across the Southeast as the storm’s projected path brought it near Tuscaloosa.
Weather-related precautions were already affecting game-day plans. ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcast was moved indoors to Alabama’s basketball arena because of the conditions.
As of Friday evening, the game remained scheduled despite the hurricane, which was forecast to strengthen into a Category 3 storm before reaching the coast. Alabama said it was continuing to monitor the situation.
“Alabama athletics continues to closely monitor the weather forecast ahead of Saturday’s football game, with the safety and well-being of the student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans as our highest priority,” the university said in a statement Wednesday night.
“We remain in close communication with the National Weather Service, the Southeastern Conference office and the University of Georgia as we observe conditions.”
