Mike Florio criticized Jaxson Dart’s response to backlash over introducing President Donald Trump, saying the Giants quarterback avoided the central issue.
Mike Florio says New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart failed to answer the central question behind the backlash to his introduction of President Donald Trump at a New York event.
Dart, who introduced Trump at a Fighting For American Workers event in Suffern, N.Y., said last week that the appearance was rooted in respect for the presidency rather than partisan politics. The explanation did not satisfy Florio, who argued Monday on “Pro Football Talk Live” that the gesture could not be separated from politics.
Dart described the invitation as a “unique opportunity” and said he has always respected the office of president “regardless of political affiliation” or party. He also acknowledged that politics are “a sensitive matter” and said being the Giants’ starting quarterback comes with responsibility.
Florio said Dart “punted” when asked whether he understood why introducing Trump was controversial. “That’s the only question that needed to be answered,” Florio said, adding that Dart’s statement tried to make the moment apolitical. “You can’t. It’s impossible to make that gesture at this moment, in this time, apolitical.”
The episode also drew a public reaction from Giants linebacker Abdul Carter, who posted on X that he initially thought a video of Dart and Trump was “AI” and asked, “What are we doing man?” Carter later said he and Dart had reached an understanding.
“Stand on what you believe in,” Carter said. “But it can't be a problem when I stand on what I believe in. That's all that matters to me. As long as we have that understanding, it's all good.”
Dart said he and Carter had talked through the disagreement, noting that they arrived with the Giants at the same time and had shared similar experiences. The two hugged after speaking with reporters.
Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston also weighed in, saying he was proud of Dart and Carter for addressing the matter publicly and proud of the team for recognizing “we don't have to pick a side in this.”
For now, the fallout appears to have shifted from the event itself to how Dart and the Giants handle political disagreement inside a locker room preparing for another season under public scrutiny.
Comments (0)