New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury this week, and the news quickly drew online commentary tying the injury to his appearance alongside President Donald Trump earlier this year.
Dart introduced Trump at a New York City event in May. Following his injury, several commentators and outlets referenced what they called a “Trump curse.”
HuffPost published a piece describing Dart as a “Trump admirer” and noting that “media types say ‘Trump Curse’ has struck again.” USA Today ran a headline reading, “Jaxson Dart’s injury reignites Trump sports curse possibility.”
On social media, former CNN commentator and ex-GOP communications director Tara Setmayer wrote, “The f—g Trump curse strikes again,” referencing Dart’s injury. Film and TV critic John Rocha posted a photo of Trump and Dart together with the caption, “Everything he touches, y’all. Everything he touches…”
Ron Filipkowski, editor of the outlet MeidasTouch, wrote that Dart’s appearance with Trump was “the moment I decided not to draft Dart in fantasy football,” adding, “He had no chance this season after the Trump Curse.”
Sports blogger Mike Florio was among the first to suggest the Giants sign free agent Colin Kaepernick following Dart’s injury, a recommendation commentators have made in the past when other NFL teams lost their starting quarterbacks.
A Recurring Pattern
Dart’s injury is not the first time a player’s political associations, real or assumed, have become part of the conversation following an injury. In 2020, then-ESPN commentator Mark Jones shared posts referring to San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa as “MAGA Bosa” after Bosa suffered a knee injury, with posts suggesting he deserved it for standing during the national anthem.
In 2023, former ESPN host Keith Olbermann commented on New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ torn Achilles, which occurred in the opening minutes of the season. Olbermann posted, “Another #SuddenLisfranc due to failure to vaccinate.” When the Jets organization wrote that the injury was “Not the way any of us wanted it to go,” Olbermann responded, “Define ‘any.'”
It remains unclear whether Dart identifies as a Trump supporter. He introduced the sitting president at an event in the city where he plays professional football, an act that does not necessarily reflect a political endorsement.
The Giants have not announced a timeline for Dart’s return or details on a potential replacement at quarterback.
