I watched the press conference President Trump held after the Supreme Court ruled against him on his unconstitutional tariffs. As I saw him rant and rave from the podium, I had this random and unique thought…   I wish President Trump treated politics more like professional football, and less like professional wrestling. 

Allow me to explain. 

In an NFL game both teams fight hard on the field.  They play by the rules and if someone breaks one, they get punished.  But after four quarters of beating each other up on the field, the loser meets the winner at midfield to shake hands, say good game, and move on to the next time.  

Occasionally they’ll complain about the officiating, but when they do it’s more of an off handed remark and less of a full-on attack.  

Juxtapose that with the WWE where the participants are loud, gaudy, don’t play by the rules and treat their opponents with disdain.  

As the president bloviated about his contempt for all but three members of the Supreme Court, (the referees if you will,) he acted more like CM Punk or Jimmy Hart than the leader of the free world.

But instead of graciously admitting defeat, he added a plot twist that would make Vince McMahon proud.  

He said the referees ruling didn’t apply to him, he then cited a provision in the Trade Act of 1974 that allowed him to add an additional 10% tariff on all imported goods.  He later raised that to 15%.   

That loophole can only stay in effect for 150 days.  After that he’ll have to go through Congress.  At least that’s what he’s supposed to do unless he can drag it out in court or find another way around it.

If I may continue with my sports analogy, the Nebraska Congressional Delegation has to remember that they are part of the Congressional team and not the President’s team. With the occasional exception of Don Bacon, Senators Ricketts and Fischer, and Congressmen Flood and Smith act more like spectators and presidential cheerleaders than participants in the game.  

President Trump’s tariffs have hurt Nebraska’s economy. 

According to a monthly report from Creighton University, Nebraska’s manufacturing exports declined 12.6% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the first nine months of 2024. 

The tariffs have hurt Nebraska farmers to the point that the many will receive their share of the 12 billion dollar welfare check Trump is handing out to those who work the land.  They call it a bail out instead of welfare, but it has the same effect.

Our delegation calls themselves Republicans, but Republicans used to be for free trade, a balanced budget, and against welfare.  This administration’s policies are far from what Republicans used to believe. 

Our Founding Fathers wrote a set of rules called the Constitution. The Constitution allows for changes to be made as long as the foundation stays intact. But in order for those changes to be made the White House and the Congress need to work together.

Much like the rules in the NFL can be changed if the situation warrants.  But in order for that change to happen the owners and the Player’s Association have got to get together and talk.  They need to work out the details and then vote on them.  

We try to teach our children to be good sports.  We expect our professional athletes to be role models. 

Shouldn’t we expect the same from our president?? 

The NFL is expanding.  Their games are on all the networks and a couple streaming services in prime time.  The WWE is on cable channels late at night.

Under the Trump administration the USA’s dominance is diminishing.  Long time trade partners are leaving us and are trading with China and other countries. 

On the surface the idea of equating the presidency with professional sports seems like a stretch.  But once you give it a little thought you see the connection.  

I know it’s too late to think that President Trump can change.  But I can dream can’t I?  

Dream that maybe someday more Republicans and people in Trump’s inner circle can get him to act more like a Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, and less like a wannabe Hulk Hogan. 

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.