President Trump took a light-hearted jab at Alabama football while announcing the relocation of the U.S. Space Command headquarters. During remarks thanking Sen. Tommy Tuberville for his role in the relocation process, the president referenced the recent college football upset in which Florida State defeated Alabama, calling it a rare moment for the former Auburn coach.
“Tommy Tuberville, who’s a great coach. And I won’t say anything about what happened with Alabama football this weekend. But you’re not used to that, right?” Trump said, drawing laughter from the crowd. He then added, “Auburn won, that’s right. So, you’re happy,” referencing Auburn’s 38-24 victory over Baylor.
The comment came shortly after Florida State’s stunning win over Alabama, which shocked the college football world. Florida State, coming off a 2-10 season, managed to upset one of the top programs in the nation, generating widespread headlines. The loss was described as one of the biggest storylines of the weekend.
Sen. Tuberville, who served as Auburn’s head football coach from 1999 to 2008, appeared to take the comment in stride. Trump’s reference tied together his appreciation for Tuberville’s efforts on national defense with a nod to college football rivalries that remain strong in Alabama politics.
The relocation of the Space Command headquarters has been a politically charged issue in recent years, with multiple states vying for the economic and strategic benefits it brings. Trump’s administration had previously supported moving the headquarters out of Colorado, and Tuberville has been an outspoken advocate for bringing it to Alabama.
