Social media buzzed this weekend as fans spotted Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spending time with Ivanka Trump and her family in Florida. The NFL star joined his teammate Braxton Berrios for a casual hangout with the daughter of newly re-elected President Donald Trump.
Ivanka posted glimpses of the gathering on Instagram, showing the Dolphins duo tossing a football with her son, Theodore, and playing chess. The photos quickly ignited a storm of reactions online, with fans expressing everything from surprise to frustration. Some criticized the quarterback’s association with the Trump family. In contrast, others turned the spotlight on his history of concussions, using the chess game as a talking point for jabs about his health.
Social Media Frenzy And Fan Reactions

As soon as the photos surfaced, social media lit up with divided opinions. Some fans praised Tua Tagovailoa for simply enjoying a casual outing, while others questioned his presence with the daughter of the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump.
“Not a Trump fan. I am a Tua fan. Feeling conflicted,” one fan wrote. Another added, “This is enough for me to end 40 years as a Fins fan.” The chess game photo, in particular, sparked a wave of sarcastic comments, with some referencing Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion history. “Too many hits to the head,” one user remarked, while another claimed, “Oh, he got CTE for sure.”
📸 Tua Tagovailoa and Braxton Berrios spending time with the Trump family. (@IvankaTrump) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/lLtgQZ4Foi
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) March 3, 2025
Despite the controversy, this isn’t the first time Tagovailoa’s name has been linked to the Trump family. His wife, Annah, previously sparked debate by sharing a social media post praising Trump’s housing of utility workers during Hurricane Milton.
For now, the buzz remains just that- buzz. Whether this affects Tua Tagovailoa’s public image or his reception among fans remains to be seen. One thing is certain: in the world of sports and politics, even a simple game of chess can make headlines.