Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter embrace their differences, but don’t apologize for the Trump controversy

Jaxson Dart spoke to reporters about his lengthy introduction to President Donald Trump at last week’s rally and after he finished, it was Abdul Carter’s turn to take the stage. As the two New York Giants quarterbacks passed each other, they embraced.

The Giants want the world to know that there is no beef within their locker room in general, or between the two players in particular despite the fact that the starting quarterback supports Trump and the defensive lineman has a clear distaste for the president.

But there’s a catch between all these understandings: While these two guys may not like each other, they don’t agree. Still.

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“Some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things,” Carter told the media. “Jaxson is one of our leaders. He’s the face of our franchise. He doesn’t just represent himself and what he does, he represents all of us, and that goes for anyone in a Giants uniform.

“But if he chooses to associate himself with a man like President Trump, it’s my responsibility based on what I believe or what I stand for, not only to show my colleagues that I’m against that, but to show the world.”

Carter, many people now know, was the only Giants player to openly criticize Dart’s appearance with the president. He doubled down on Friday, even though he had previously deleted social media sites that voiced criticism.

Dart, meanwhile, appeared to struggle with a prepared statement as he explained his decision to meet and introduce Trump — not that he had to, but just for the record. His voice close to cracking at times, Dart explained how his family background made meeting the President the right thing to do.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart as he arrives to speak at Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY, on May 22, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP)

“This was a unique opportunity, you know, to be asked and given the opportunity to introduce the President of the United States,” said Dart. “My reasoning was simple in the fact that, you know, I’ve always loved this country. I have extended family members who have fought in wars. I have two uncles who have retired from the Air Force Academy and are self-employed. And I even have a great grandfather who served as Treasury Secretary at one point.

“So the position of President has always been a position that I respected a lot, regardless of which political party, and you know, my intentions were just like that.”

Although Dart and Carter continue to be at odds politically, each of them has made a point of openly hating each other.

“…That doesn’t mean we have to spread hatred,” Carter said. “It’s not that me and Jaxson hate each other or we have beef. I sit next to Jaxson every day. Every team meeting and we close, we talk. As long as we make sure we get the same goal as a team and our goals are aligned, which they do, and I feel like that’s what’s important. So I want to pass this on and yeah, that’s it.”

Again. There is no apology from either side even two players were discussing this issue.

“No,” Carter said. “I don’t want him to say he’s sorry. Stand up for what you believe in. But it won’t be a problem if I stand up for what I believe in. That’s what’s important to me. As long as we have that understanding, everything is fine.”

New York Giants quarterback Abdul Carter raises his hand during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. (Rich Barnes/Images)

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Said Dart: “Yeah, I mean, we just talked. You know, Abdul and I came here at the same time. We shared a lot of the same experiences. We’ve had our struggles over time and we’ve had to back each other up and that’s exactly what we’ve continued to do today.

“You know, he and I are one of the closest guys on the team. So, you know, we’ve had a lot of conversations. And he’s a brother, I know I’m a brother to him, and, at the end of the day, we want to be better people and players for each other.”

Dart added that he understands that politics is a “serious issue” and that party startups carry responsibility.

New York coach John Harbaugh shakes hands with New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston during a press conference at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford on Jan. 20, 2025. (Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

After their first hug, Dart stood aside to listen to Carter speak. And when Carter finished, the two players left together.

That left coach John Harbaugh and backup quarterback and team leader Jameis Winston to fill some holes. Harbaugh did not criticize Dart or Carter and said that the team meeting this week about this issue is mainly about the players expressing their opinions because in the end it is their team.

Winston then tried to fix the issue.

“I’m proud of Jaxson and Abdul for having this conversation and coming in front of you and saying something they like,” Winston said. “I’m proud of our team for understanding that we don’t have to pick sides on this.”

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Winston then blamed the media for the controversy.

“Being proud of our colleagues for being singled out by the media and hearing the opinions of people who have nothing to do with this building, but just looking at the reason to point fingers at the blonde, the blue, the White boy, and the Black Muslim,” is how Winston explained his feelings. “That’s what’s going on in the world, isn’t it? And these guys are showing off.”

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