TUSCALOOSA, AL — Authorities say President Donald Trump will no longer attend Saturday's highly anticipated college football matchup between Alabama and Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium as Hurricane Isaias threatens to bring dangerous weather to the state.
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The Tuscaloosa Police Department confirmed the news to Patch Friday afternoon.
Trump had previously announced plans to attend the Southeastern Conference showdown between No. 6 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia, but concerns surrounding the approaching hurricane prompted the change in plans.
Following the publication of this story by Patch, the president then issued the following statement on Truth Social regarding the decision:
"Based on the fact that a huge Hurricane/Storm is coming, it is important to have our wonderful First Responders, Law Enforcement, and others, focused on that Storm, and in no way be thinking about the safety, or presence, of the President of the United States, ME! Therefore, I will miss that potentially unbelievable Game, Alabama vs. Georgia but, hopefully, the Game will go on despite the weather! I will be visiting both of those Teams at a later date. Instead, I will go to Tennessee, where we have quickly called a Big Rally in order to get our fantastic Congressional Candidates, our Great Senator Bill Hagerty, and a woman who will go down as one of the most impactful Governors in the State's History, Marsha Blackburn, elected!"
The president had indicated earlier this week that his attendance would depend on the storm's trajectory and potential impacts across Alabama.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump said he did not want his visit to interfere with emergency response operations as officials prepared for the hurricane.
"Certainly, I'm going to let the hurricane determine," Trump said. "I want people to be safe."
Trump previously attended Alabama's 41-34 victory over Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium in September 2024.
Meanwhile, Patch reported Friday that Hurricane Isaias strengthened into a major Category 3 hurricane Friday, packing sustained winds of 120 mph as it approached the northern Gulf Coast.
The storm is expected to make landfall Friday night before moving inland, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall, damaging winds, flash flooding and isolated tornadoes to portions of Alabama.
Despite the approaching storm, Saturday's game remains scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff.
The University of Alabama has announced several changes to its game-day operations, including prohibiting outdoor activities and tailgating on campus before noon Saturday. Only uncovered tailgating will be permitted after noon, weather conditions permitting.
ESPN has also moved its popular College GameDay broadcast indoors to Coleman Coliseum because of the anticipated severe weather.
Alabama Athletics officials continue to monitor the forecast and have urged fans traveling to Tuscaloosa to remain aware of changing conditions and follow official updates.
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