By TX3DNews Staff | April 15, 2025
Last weekend, President Donald Trump did what no sitting U.S. president has done before: he attended a UFC event an has been on a high-profile sports tour made possible in part by taxpayer-funded security and travel.
We’re told there’s not enough money to cover school lunches for low-income kids — but apparently, there’s room in the budget for stadium suites, prime-time cameos and weekend getaway golf trips.
It started with UFC 314 in Miami, where Trump entered to roaring chants and his go-to “American Bad Ass” entrance theme. Just weeks earlier, he was glad-handing at the Daytona 500, and before that, basking in the luxury suite spotlight at Super Bowl LIX — the first time a sitting president has ever attended the NFL’s biggest game..
That’s three major sporting events in under two months. Quite the schedule.
And Yet… Radio Silence from Rep. Keith Self
Here in TX-03, the response from our representative?
Not a word. Not a post. Nothing. Nada.
This from the same congressman who’s called SNAP benefits for soft drinks “wasteful spending” and demanded tighter controls on how low-income families use assistance. He’s ranted about misuse of government funds, bloated programs, and every penny that doesn’t pass his personal purity test.
Unless, of course, the taxpayer costs come with luxury suite access and VIP treatment — and the traveler is Donald Trump.
So where’s the fiscal outrage now?
Where’s the accountability taxpayers were promised?
🧾 Let’s Do a Reality Check
Yes, other presidents have engaged with sports. But let’s not pretend this is business as usual.
- Barack Obama preferred basketball. Never showed up at the Super Bowl.
- George W. Bush went to a NASCAR race in 2004—while campaigning. That was 21 years ago.
- Bill Clinton gave interviews during the Super Bowl. He didn’t kick back in a box with Jerry Jones.
- Joe Biden? Skipped the Super Bowl entirely. His appearances were usually somber interviews, not televised fanfare.
So when Trump racks up appearances at the Super Bowl, Daytona, and UFC in a matter of weeks—and Rep. Self doesn’t have a peep to say—the selective outrage speaks volumes.
🎯 Why TX-03 Should Care
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about bashing sports. North Texans love football, fast cars, and a good brawl as much as anyone.
But while Trump racks up VIP appearances, families in Collin County are still waiting for real solutions:
- Grocery bills that haven’t budged.
- A housing market that’s shutting out first-time buyers.
- Small business owners still chasing loan programs that were promised and never delivered.
- And voters who just want straight answers—not cage-side distractions.
When it comes to spending on programs like school lunches or SNAP benefits, Rep. Self has plenty to say. But when it’s Trump on a taxpayer-backed victory tour?
Crickets.
🧠 Final Thought
Leadership isn’t about where you show up — it’s about what you bother to show up for.
You can shake hands in a suite or post selfies from the sidelines, but in TX-03, we’re not impressed by stadium cameos and preloaded talking points.
Because when the lights go down and the jets fly out, we’re still the ones stuck with the bill.
📍 Stay tuned to TX3DNews.com for more local insight, real reporting, and the accountability our district deserves.