NFL veteran and sports commentator Pat McAfee is facing backlash after appearing alongside President Donald Trump at the 2026 Patriot Games in Ohio, with one social media critic accusing the ESPN host of using a racial slur behind closed doors. For McAfee, the accusation was so appalling that he’s now threatening the anonymous social media user with a lawsuit.
McAfee, who has described himself as apolitical, greeted Trump on the tarmac Tuesday before sitting next to the president during the Patriot Games at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. The four-day youth athletics competition features high school athletes from across the country competing in physical fitness and military-inspired events. The appearance quickly sparked criticism on X, but one post in particular prompted McAfee to respond.
“In case you were wondering if Pat McAfee calls us the N word behind our backs when we’re not around, here’s your answer,” user @financejonE wrote alongside an image of McAfee sitting with Trump. The post also tagged ESPN PR and McAfee’s colleague Desmond Howard. McAfee called the accusation “grotesque” and suggested that legal action could follow.
“This is grotesque… and potentially lawsuit worthy,” McAfee wrote, adding that he would have lawyers examine the matter the following week. The controversy has divided social media users, with critics arguing that McAfee’s decision to sit beside Trump says something about his political views, while supporters say there is no evidence connecting the appearance to the racial accusation.
McAfee’s Rant Invited More Critics
Due to his appearance next to Trump, many critics also questioned McAfee’s claim of being apolitical, pointing to his public interactions with the US President. Others argued that greeting or sitting beside a sitting president does not necessarily constitute a political endorsement.
“Would you sit next to a random man who said to your wife or daughters the disgusting things Trump has said about other women? Would you sit next to a random man convicted of [expletive] in a civil court? Would you sit your daughter next to a random man who was BFFs with a pedo?” asks a commenter.
Meanwhile, others slammed McAfee for showing what they assumed was his true colors, writing, “Pat, you’ve shown everyone who you really are. Congrats for publicly proclaiming your firm stance as a pedophile protector and fascism enabler. Pathetic and gross.”
Some users even likened his threat to Trump’s behavior, with comments like “Straight out of Trump’s playbook LMAO ‘I’m gonna call my lawyer bc you said something I don’t like,'” and “Spend one night with Donny and already threatening to sue your critics? You’re a fast learner, Pat!!”
The legal question remains uncertain. Because McAfee is a prominent public figure, a potential defamation lawsuit would face significant legal hurdles, particularly if the accusation cannot be shown to have been made with the required level of fault. For now, McAfee has indicated that his lawyers will review the accusation, while the online debate over his relationship with Trump continues.
