President Donald Trump announced Saturday night that he plans to sign an executive order granting the annual Army-Navy college football game an exclusive four-hour broadcast window on the second Saturday in December, barring other games from airing at the same time.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared:
“Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy! I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!”
He framed the move as protecting a cherished American tradition of patriotism, courage, and honor, adding that it serves as notice to all television networks, stations, and outlets.
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions to expand the College Football Playoff, with some proposals potentially shifting the Army-Navy game or allowing overlapping broadcasts of other postseason contests, which could threaten its traditional standalone afternoon slot on CBS.
Trump, who has attended the game regularly since his first term and was present for the most recent matchup in December 2025, described the action as safeguarding the tradition and the players who serve the nation.
However, legal and media experts quickly questioned the order's enforceability. Several telecommunications lawyers and scholars told The Washington Post it is likely unconstitutional, citing First Amendment protections and limits on presidential authority over private broadcasters.
Jeffrey Cole, director of USC Annenberg’s Center for the Digital Future, called it an unprecedented assertion of power that no programmer has ever held, noting that while the goal may be admirable, the president lacks legal enforcement authority beyond persuasion.
Neither the White House nor the Federal Communications Commission immediately responded to questions about the announcement or its legal basis.