New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was diagnosed with a season‑ending knee injury this week, ending his 2026 campaign. While the injury itself is a significant blow to the team, the reaction from several liberal‑leaning sports media outlets quickly turned political.
Media outlets frame injury as political retribution
Sports blogger Mike Florio was among the first to suggest the Giants sign former quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a name that has resurfaced in media commentary whenever an NFL team loses a quarterback. Other commentators seized on Dart’s May appearance introducing President Trump at a New York City event, labeling the injury as evidence of a “Trump curse.”
HuffPost referred to Dart as a “Trump admirer” and wrote that “media types say ‘Trump Curse’ has struck again.” Former GOP communications director and CNN commentator Tara Setmayer echoed the sentiment on X, stating, “The f—‑g Trump curse strikes again.” Film critic John Rocha posted a photo of the Trump‑Dart interaction with the caption, “Everything he touches, y’all. Everything he touches…”.
Ron Filipkowski, editor of the anti‑Trump outlet MeidasTouch, claimed he had predicted Dart’s injury after the quarterback appeared with the president, writing, “This was the moment I decided not to draft Dart in fantasy football. He had no chance this season after the Trump Curse.” USA Today added a tongue‑in‑cheek note that “Jaxson Dart’s injury reignites Trump sports curse possibility.”
Critics point to partisan double standards
Comment sections on The Athletic’s report about Dart’s injury featured readers celebrating the injury, questioning whether Dart is “vaxxed,” and asserting he deserved it for supporting President Trump. The article notes that it is unclear whether Dart is a Trump supporter beyond his introduction of the president, and that introducing the sitting president does not automatically constitute a political statement.
The piece draws a parallel to past incidents, such as 2020 mockery of 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa after a knee injury and former ESPN host Keith Olbermann’s celebration of Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles tear. The author argues that such reactions reflect a broader pattern of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” where liberal commentators use injuries to political opponents as a scoring opportunity, while similar injuries to left‑leaning athletes receive little or no commentary.
Impact on the Giants and broader conversation
Beyond the media furor, the Giants now face the practical challenge of replacing a starting quarterback mid‑season. The injury underscores the fragility of professional athletic careers and the mental toll serious injuries can impose. It also highlights how sports can become a battleground for partisan narratives, a trend that many readers find concerning.
While the liberal media’s politicized response may satisfy their base, the focus should remain on the health and future of the athlete and the team’s on‑field needs, rather than using the injury as a vehicle for partisan point‑scoring.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
