Former NFL star Antonio Brown continues to remain in President-elect Donald Trump’s inner circle, recently attending an exclusive gala held at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Thursday night. The event brought together influential figures from politics, business, and entertainment, and Brown’s presence at the gathering highlighted his ongoing support for Trump.
Brown shared a photo of himself posing with Trump at the event, which he posted on his social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In the photo, Brown stands alongside the former—and future—President, signaling his loyalty to Trump as he prepares for his next term in office. Additionally, Brown posted a group photo that featured him standing next to tech mogul Elon Musk, one of the most influential figures of the modern era.
Brown’s relationship with Donald Trump has been consistent over the years, with the former wide receiver offering his support throughout Trump’s trio of presidential campaigns. Earlier this year, Brown was even seen taking part in voter registration efforts for the 2024 election alongside fellow former Pittsburgh Steelers player Le’Veon Bell.
The two were spotted encouraging fans to sign up to vote outside a Steelers game, showing their commitment to rallying support for Trump’s presidential bid.
Since his abrupt exit from the NFL in 2021, where he infamously quit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers mid-game, Brown has kept himself in the public eye through a variety of ventures, including social media controversies and public appearances like this week’s Mar-a-Lago gala.
His decision to walk away from football left fans and analysts puzzled, but he has since pursued a mix of business, entertainment, and political endeavors.
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In addition to attending the Mar-a-Lago event, Brown shared plans to transport attendees from the Florida gala to Dallas for the Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson fight on Friday.
His schedule shows an effort to stay involved in major events across multiple spheres, from political gatherings to high-profile boxing matches. The combination of appearances illustrates Brown’s desire to stay relevant in the worlds of sports, politics, and entertainment.
However, not all of Brown’s public appearances and online activities have been well-received. His social media habits have raised eyebrows in recent years.
One such incident involved reposting a photo of actress Sydney Sweeney in lingerie, along with a provocative caption mimicking Donald Trump. The post drew criticism for its inappropriate tone and behavior, adding to the controversy surrounding Brown’s public persona.
Moreover, Brown has been using his social media presence to take aim at certain individuals. Recently, he has consistently mocked political commentator Don Lemon and music mogul P Diddy, often sharing pointed and critical remarks.
This behavior has drawn mixed reactions from his followers, with some supporting his outspoken nature, while others question his motivations and intent.
Despite the controversies, Brown appears to have enjoyed his time at the Mar-a-Lago event. “Amazing to spend time with @elonmusk,” Brown posted to X. “Have a lot of respect for him. He’s changing the world. I may just have to join the [Department of Government Efficiency] team.”
The Department of Government Efficiency, a new entity within the federal government, is currently being headed by Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Musk’s involvement in this initiative aims to streamline government operations and reduce waste, and Brown’s comments suggest an interest in potentially contributing to this effort, though it remains to be seen how serious his intentions are.
Brown is far from the only athlete to align himself with Donald Trump’s cause. Former race car driver Danica Patrick and former ESPN anchor Sage Steele have also made appearances at pro-Trump events, signaling support for the president-elect.
The presence of figures from the sports world at Trump’s gatherings reflects the broad base of influence that Trump continues to maintain, as well as the willingness of certain athletes and media personalities to engage in the political arena.
As the world watches Trump prepare for his return to the White House, Antonio Brown’s involvement highlights the connections between sports, politics, and entertainment that continue to shape public discourse.
Whether it’s making headlines for his antics or rubbing shoulders with influential figures, Antonio Brown has remained a polarizing presence, and his actions at Mar-a-Lago suggest that he’s not shying away from the limelight any time soon.