What Are the ‘Patriot Games’? Trump Announces National Youth Competition

President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for the “Patriot Games,” a new, nationally televised youth athletic competition set to take place in 2026 as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations.

According to the White House, the four-day event will feature one male and one female high school athlete from each U.S. state and territory, bringing together young competitors from across the country.

The announcement was made as part of the launch of “Freedom 250,” a public-private initiative tasked with organizing major events to mark the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence.

While official descriptions frame the Patriot Games as a celebration of athletic excellence, teamwork, and national pride, the lack of detailed information about the format has fueled widespread online reactions.

Almost immediately, critics and political opponents drew comparisons to The Hunger Games, the dystopian novel and film series that features young participants selected from different regions to compete in a televised event. The comparisons have circulated widely on social media, though Trump’s team has emphasized that the competition is intended as a symbolic and patriotic showcase rather than a fictional survival contest.

The Patriot Games are part of a broader slate of proposed anniversary events, including a national state fair, a large prayer gathering, and other high-profile celebrations planned for 2026.