Competition and Control: The Politics Behind the Patriot Games

The 250th Anniversary of the United States is expected to be marked with parades, fireworks, and ceremonies. However, one celebration stands out above the rest.

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, President Donald J. Trump announced the “Patriot Games,” a four-day athletic competition in which two high school athletes—one boy and one girl from every state and territory—will compete. President Trump aims for this celebration to take place in the fall of 2026, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding. 

“In the fall, we will host the first-ever Patriot Games, an unprecedented four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes—one young man and one young woman from each state and territory.” - Donald J. Trump

The goal of the games, according to reporters, is to spotlight top high school athletes around the country as a part of the administration’s “Freedom 250” plan. However, lots of people have noted similarities between Trump’s “Patriot Games” and another famous competition depicted in literature, Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games”. The Hunger Games is a well-known book series in which two competitors, labeled as “tributes,” are chosen from each district to compete in the games. While the games aren’t intended to be violent, people have continued to draw comparisons between the Trump Administration and the government of Panem. 

This seems to be more figurative than literal. In the famous book series, the Hunger Games are a form of punishment instituted by a totalitarian and authoritarian government. However, critics argue that while some people may want to participate in the games, the overall structure is very reminiscent of the Hunger Games.

People are also commenting on Trump’s hypocrisy, as he has been quoted as saying that “no men will play in women’s sports.” This is especially important considering his  claim that the competition will also be non-partisan. 

Trump plans for the Patriot Games to be televised and led by the Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, who, so far, has made no public statements about the Games or his role.

Some analysts say that the games will be just as much about political symbolism as they are sports. Because the games are tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States, the games may be seen as a way to promote political stability and national pride under a specific political ideology.

So far, there have been no updates on the status of the Patriot Games, and many important details remain a mystery. The President and the administration haven’t informed the public how athletes will be selected, which sports will be included, or even whether participation will be mandatory or voluntary.

Additionally, the administration has laid out plans to begin construction of a “Triumphal Arc,” similar to “l’Arc de Triomphe” in Paris, as well as the “National Garden of American Heroes”, according to CNN. Trump has also announced a UFC-style event to take place at the White House sometime on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14.

“On Flag Day, we will have a one-of-a-kind UFC-style event here at the White House. It’ll be the greatest champion fighters in the world, all fighting that same night.” - Donald J. Trump

The dictionary defines a patriot as “a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” However, with everything happening around the country, MAGA may now be interpreting “defending the country against enemies or detractors” as simply aligning all core beliefs with the Trump administration and fighting against anyone not from America. We can see this in the MAGA reaction to events like the Murder of Alex Preti vs the Assassination of Charlie Kirk. Both Americans, both victims of gun violence, and yet one was mourned and saluted as a political hero, while the other was labeled a “domestic terrorist” simply for exercising his 2nd Amendment right.