President Donald Trump has announced a new nationwide athletic competition called the ‘Patriot Games’ to mark America’s 250th anniversary next year.
The president revealed the event on Thursday, describing it as part of what he called “the most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen.”
The competition will feature two young athletes, one man and one woman, from every U.S. state and territory.
While the exact prize for the winners has not yet been revealed, Trump expressed confidence that the event will be a major success.
“Already, we’ve had big celebrations to commemorate the 250th birthdays of the Army, the Navy and the United States Marines,” Trump said in a video announcement.
“But there is much, much more to come. We’re going to have a good time.”
What the ‘Patriot Games’ will involve
The ‘Patriot Games’ are scheduled to take place in the fall of 2026.
Trump described the event as “an unprecedented four-day athletic competition” showcasing elite high school athletes from across the country.
Each state and territory will be represented by one young man and one young woman.
Trump also took the opportunity to repeat his stance on gender and sports.
“I promise there will be no men playing in women’s sports,” he said. “You’re not gonna see that.”
Beyond those comments, official details remain limited.
The Freedom 250 website, which is leading the anniversary celebrations, teased the event as a major national spectacle.
“From opening heats to the live final day in front of a live audience, these competitors will light the torch for a new generation of Americans,” the site stated.
Hunger Games comparisons spark backlash
Almost immediately after the announcement, critics began drawing comparisons to The Hunger Games franchise.
The dystopian books and films famously feature two children from each district forced to compete in a deadly survival contest.
While Trump’s proposal does not involve violence, the similarities in structure raised concerns online.
Social media users described the concept as unsettling and accused Trump of echoing dystopian fiction.
The Democratic Party also highlighted the comparison in a pointed response.
Democrats and critics respond
The Democratic Party shared a clip from the first Hunger Games film following Trump’s announcement.
In the scene, fictional President Coriolanus Snow explains the origins of the games.
“And so it was decreed that each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up one young man and woman,” Snow says.
The clip continues: “This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also weighed in on the comparison.
He reposted an image of Snow raising a champagne glass, clearly drawing a parallel to Trump’s announcement.
For now, the ‘Patriot Games’ remain largely undefined, but the concept has already ignited fierce debate.
Featured image credit: Gage Skidmore & Lionsgate
