Trump reveals ‘Patriot Games’ for high school athletes as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration

Dubbed the “Patriot Games,” the event will be a “first‑of‑its‑kind” multi‑sport festival that stretches over four days. Each state and territory will send “one young man and one young woman” to compete.

During a speech from the Oval Office, Trump said, “In the fall, we’ll host the first‑ever ‘Patriot Games,’ an unprecedented four‑day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes.” He added that there would be no co‑ed competition, stressing, “But I promise there will be no men playing in women’s sports. You’re not going to see that. You’ll see everything but that.”

Trump signed the “Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports” executive order in February, outlawing biological males from participating in female events under Title IX.

Freedom 250, the group that is coordinating many of the birthday festivities, teased that the newly launched showcase would “light the torch” for future generations. The organization’s website noted, “This first‑of‑its‑kind athletic competition will spotlight male and female high school athletes from every state and territory. From opening heats to the live final day in front of a live audience, these competitors will light the torch for a new generation of Americans.”

Further specifics about the venue and the athletic disciplines were not released immediately.

The Democratic Party reacted immediately, likening the competition to the “Hunger Games.” An official Democratic X account posted, “And so it was decreed that, each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up, in tribute, one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice (The Hunger Games, 2012).” The comment drew swift backlash, with some users joking that even the Olympics are “dystopian.”

Other remarks included a meme that compared Democratic fitness demands to a deadly contest, and a tongue‑in‑cheek jab about the Capitol’s “1000% dominance” versus “district 13” ruling by Republicans.

In addition to the games, the 250th‑anniversary celebrations will feature a national prayer gathering in May, the Sail 4th 250 parade of tall ships through New York Harbor, the Great American State Fair on the National Mall complete with state pavilions, and the “Salute to America” fireworks extravaganza.

Trump also re‑affirmed his commitment to the National Garden of American Heroes, a monument he originally ordered in an executive order in January 2021. “We will build the National Garden of American Heroes featuring statues of all‑time greatest Americans,” he said. He added plans for a grand arch to rise just across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.

“But all of this is just the beginning. 2026 will be a celebration of America like no other, honoring our nation and all of its glory,” the commander in chief concluded.