Bill Belichick’s long flirtation with Donald Trump put him squarely in the center of the political cauldron in the middle of largely liberal New England.
Now Belichick and Trump have something in common – they’re both looking for a job. Belichick will get one. Not sure yet about Trump.
In the wake of Belichick and Pats owner Robert Kraft’s “mutual” decision to part ways – actually a firing – it’s a win for Trump because of the positive backlash both Belichick and Kraft are now getting from New England fans and most of the media.
Trump may try to take advantage of the situation to win over New Hampshire voters between now and the Jan. 23 primary.
The relationship between Belichick and the former president goes back years but may have been frayed when Belichick turned down an offer from Trump to get a prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom shortly before Trump left office.
Belichick apparently thought Trump was too toxic in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol so he declined the medal.
But just a few months ago, Belichick and the Patriots were on Trump’s mind.
In a speech in Wolfeboro, N.H. to a room full of Pats fans, Trump commented on the team’s troubles on the field while comparing a showdown between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping as a clash between a high school team and a “good” NFL team.
“I’d love to say the Patriots,” Trump said. “(Belichick) is a great guy, great coach. But they’re having a hard time. What’s going on with the Patriots, huh?”
Good question. The Pats at the time were 1-4. But Trump said he had faith in Belichick.
“He is, he’s a great coach. He’ll figure it out somehow,” Trump mused. “He’s going to figure it out. But that was not a good game last night, was it?”
Belichick never did figure it out. Now he’s gone.
Back when he was president and even before, Trump constantly touted his relationship with Belichick, Kraft and former Pats quarterback Tom Brady.
The former Pats’ coach wrote an endorsement letter to Trump which he probably never thought would be made public back in 2016 just before Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton.
Trump read the letter to his supporters in New Hampshire, saying “Congratulations on a tremendous campaign. You have dealt with an unbelievably slanted and negative media, and have come out beautifully, beautifully. You’ve proved to be the ultimate competitor and fighter. Your leadership is amazing, I have always had tremendous respect for you, but the toughness and perseverance you have displayed over the past year is remarkable. Hopefully tomorrow’s election results will give the opportunity to make America great again.”
Belichick later was forced to address the letter in the wake of Trump’s win.
“Our friendship goes back many years,” he said. I think anybody that spends more than five minutes with me knows I’m not a political person. My comments are not politically motivated.”
