New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart met with his teammates Wednesday to discuss his decision to introduce President Trump at a political rally last week in New York, sources told ESPN and NFL Network, as the team sought to move past a brief but public flare-up triggered by a fellow first-round pick.
The meeting took place during the Giants’ return to East Rutherford for organized team activities following the Memorial Day weekend. Team leaders, including linebackers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux and backup quarterback Jameis Winston, all spoke, according to the reports. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Mr. Dart and his teammates “worked through it” and are “moving forward.”
Mr. Dart, 23, introduced Mr. Trump on Friday at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York — about 35 miles northwest of New York City — at an event with Rep. Mike Lawler, New York Republican, centered on promoting Mr. Trump’s tax law and the expanded state and local tax deduction.
“What an honor, what a privilege it is to be here,” Mr. Dart told the crowd before the introduction. “And without further ado, I’m grateful, I’m honored, I’m pleasured to introduce the 45th and 47th president of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump.”
The appearance quickly attracted attention when second-year outside linebacker Abdul Carter reposted video of the introduction on X. “Thought this s—- was AI, what we doing man,” Mr. Carter wrote. The post went viral and fueled speculation about locker room tension. Mr. Carter later walked back any implication of a rift, writing, “Me and JD6 are good! We spoke earlier as Men. Yall can keep yall narratives.”
Offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor also pushed back on reports of division. “Locker Room is fine,” he wrote on X. “Focus on New England.”
Sources told ESPN that among the topics discussed Wednesday was the importance of keeping matters “internal” rather than airing frustrations publicly.
Mr. Dart, a first-round pick out of Ole Miss in the 2025 NFL Draft, became the Giants’ starting quarterback in Week 4 of his rookie season and finished with 15 touchdown passes, five interceptions and nine rushing touchdowns — second-most by a rookie quarterback in the modern era. The Giants are building their offense around him under head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
It is not the first intersection between Mr. Trump and the Giants’ organization. The president posted on Truth Social in January, urging the Giants to hire Mr. Harbaugh, calling him and his brother Jim “total winners.” Mr. Harbaugh acknowledged the endorsement at his introductory news conference, saying, “It feels really great” and describing the Giants as “the most iconic franchise in the biggest sport.”
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