Trump-Backed Patriot Games Stream on ESPN for 50-State Youth Contest as Winners Get $125,000
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 9
Trump-Backed Patriot Games Stream on ESPN for 50-State Youth Contest as Winners Get $125,000
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 9
Summary
$125,000 college scholarships await the male and female winners of the Patriot Games, a Trump-backed youth competition now streaming from Ohio on ESPN before an ABC special on Aug. 13.
Freedom 250 pitched the event as part of America’s 250th-birthday celebration, but CNN found selection emphasized patriotic messaging and identity prompts alongside athletic skill, with applicants asked about ties to states and to list biological sex.
Contestants ages 14 to 17 include military families, JROTC participants, homeschoolers and many private Christian-school students; some represent states where they do not live, and several told CNN the event has already drawn criticism or confusion over scoring.
Trump is expected at Tuesday’s finale as his administration keeps tying sports to patriotism, even as Gallup found only 14% of adults ages 18 to 34 are extremely proud to be American.
The games also follow controversy over the administration-backed Presidential 1776 Award, where a Connecticut family and Democratic lawmakers challenged judging after all three winners were White.