World reacts to Donald Trump ‘blackmail’

Both the Big Ten and the SEC had been firmly against the Protect College Sports Act in its existing form. But after United States President Donald Trump stepped into the conversation, both conferences reversed course — and plenty of people were furious about the sudden change.

In an unexpected turnaround, the Big Ten and SEC voted Friday evening to support the Protect College Sports Act as it is currently written, moving the legislation one step closer to becoming law. The decision came after a controversial push from Trump.

Big Ten and SEC Took a Stand

The Protect College Sports Act is a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell that seeks to establish a nationwide framework for college athletics. The legislation includes provisions governing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation, standardized transfer and eligibility rules, and limited antitrust protections for organizations that oversee college sports.

Even though both conferences have consistently advocated for federal legislation to address college athletics, neither had endorsed this particular proposal.

Last month, the Big Ten and SEC issued a joint statement saying they supported national reform but believed the Protect College Sports Act still left “critical issues unresolved.”

“The Big Ten Conference and the Southeastern Conference support a sustainable national framework for college sports – one with an effective transfer portal, clear eligibility standards, and protections and benefits for student-athletes. While we appreciate the leadership of Senators Cruz and Cantwell in pursuing these shared goals, we do not support the Protect College Sports Act as drafted.

“The bill leaves critical issues unresolved. It does not meaningfully preempt the patchwork of state laws or provide the protections needed to make and enforce consistent rules, both essential to long-term stability in college athletics. It also shifts ongoing rulemaking to Congress, limiting the ability to adapt quickly as the landscape evolves. Rather than reducing litigation, the bill likely expands it without offering clear alternatives for dispute resolution. Finally, the bill alters the House settlement revenue sharing framework in a way that may result in fewer student-athletes receiving direct revenue share payments.

“We are committed to working with Senators Cruz and Cantwell and other members of Congress to improve this legislation so that it can provide lasting stability for college athletics.”

Trump Gets Involved

Despite repeatedly opposing the measure, the Big Ten and SEC dramatically changed their position Friday night, issuing a new joint statement announcing their support for the legislation.

“The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference support the Protect College Sports Act as currently drafted, following detailed and productive negotiations with Senators Cruz, Cantwell and Schmitt and their respective staffs,” the statement read. “We appreciate the substantial work that has gone into this effort.”

The about-face caught many by surprise because the legislation itself had not been meaningfully revised after failing to advance on Thursday. According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, however, the reversal followed “aggressive” intervention from the White House, with Trump reportedly threatening to “publicly condemn” the Big Ten and SEC if they continued to oppose the bill.

“U.S. president Donald Trump engaged with stakeholders through intermediaries on Thursday evening, stating his intent to publicly condemn Big Ten and SEC leaders for opposing the bill, presumably through a social media account followed by millions,” Dellinger wrote for Yahoo Sports.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) later told Yahoo Sports that he spoke with Trump after the conferences changed their position.

“He’s happy,” the lawmaker said.

‘Extortion, Blackmail, etc.’

As news of Trump’s reported involvement spread, social media users quickly criticized the president for influencing the college sports legislation process.

“He totally manipulated them with his threats. They caved rather quickly. Extortion, blackmail, etc.,” one person wrote “in a post on X.”

“People get in a fetal position in fear over the thought of getting bashed on truth social. Weak,” someone else “wrote.”

“So…let me get this straight…. A factor in SEC and Big Ten university presidents approving this bill is that they were afraid of being the target of future social media posts by President Donald Trump?! Seriously?!” another commenter “added.”

“Donald Trump screwing his core voters in the SEC is so on brand for him,” someone else “commented.”

“Rule of thumb: if Trump supports it, it’s likely a grift or just a bad idea bound for failure,” someone else “said.”

This is far from the first time Trump has found himself at the center of a controversy involving the sports world, and it likely will not be the last.