Lane Kiffin’s MAGA-Inspired Hat Post Sparks Social Media Backlash and Deletion
BATON ROUGE, La. — Lane Kiffin, the head coach of the LSU Tigers football team, found himself at the center of a social media firestorm this week after posting a photo that referenced former President Donald Trump. The image featured two LSU-themed hats emblazoned with the phrase “Make Baton Rouge Great,” a clear nod to Trump’s well-known “Make America Great Again” slogan. Kiffin’s post, which tagged Trump directly, stirred a wave of mixed reactions from fans and observers online, prompting the coach to delete the original post and re-upload the photo without the presidential tag.
Kiffin, who has previously courted controversy—most notably when he left Ole Miss during its national championship run to take the LSU head coaching position—once again drew attention for his outspoken presence on social media. The hats, designed with LSU branding, appeared to blend local pride with a politically charged slogan, a combination that polarized the football community and beyond.
After the initial backlash, Kiffin removed the photo and reposted it tagging only LSU, but the internet’s memory proved long. Social media users quickly resurfaced the original post, with many commenting on the coach’s decision to distance himself from the Trump association. The episode highlights the challenges public figures face when navigating political symbolism in sports, particularly in an era where social media amplifies every gesture.
LSU’s athletic department, led by Athletic Director Verge Ausberry, has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Meanwhile, LSU President Wade Rousse continues to manage the university’s broader public relations amidst heightened scrutiny of its athletics program.
Lane Kiffin’s social media activity comes at a time when collegiate athletics increasingly intersect with political discourse. According to guidelines from the Federal Communications Commission, public figures must be mindful of the implications of their digital communications, especially when they involve politically charged content. The coach’s swift deletion of the post suggests an awareness of the potential fallout.
As LSU prepares for the remainder of the football season, the focus remains on the team’s performance on the field. However, Kiffin’s latest social media episode serves as a reminder that the lines between sports, politics, and public perception are increasingly blurred. For now, the “Make Baton Rouge Great” hats remain a symbol of both local pride and the complex dynamics of political expression in sports culture.
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