Social media erupted over an Instagram post by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s wife Annah that praised former President Donald Trump for offering accommodations to Florida linemen at Trump National Doral Miami ahead of Hurricane Milton‘s landfall.
Annah Tagovailoa put a screenshot on her Instagram story of a post by conservative influencer Benny Johnson highlighting the gesture.
Backlash quickly ensued as netizens interpreted the post as support of the Republican nominee ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
“Maybe her [husband] isn’t the only one who suffered a concussion?” a user named Milenka sneered, referencing the quarterback’s history of head injuries.
“Damn, now I’m off the Tua bandwagon. Let him retire!” a user named Ricky sniped.
“The Turndaballova family has brain damage,” a user named Fassa chided, using a popular derisive nickname for the Alabama alum.
“This is why the dolphins [sic] suck,” another user nagged.
Trump Organization Executive Vice President Eric Trump had announced Wednesday that “275 incredible linemen from” Florida Power & Light Company were at the resort ahead of Milton’s arrival.
That prompted Johnson’s post that credited the 45th president and was shared by Annah.
Tua Tagovailoa had posed for a photo with Donald Trump in 2018, when the Crimson Tide were invited to the White House following their victory over Georgia in the College Football Playoff national title game.
Over the summer, a post that falsely suggested Tua Tagovailoa had a front-row seat at a Trump event in Miami went viral before being debunked by a community note.
Tua and Annah Tagovailoa were married in July 2022.
The Dolphins quarterback has been sidelined since Week 2 due to a concussion he suffered in a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Due to his status on injured reserve, Tagovailoa can not return to game action before Oct. 27, when Miami plays the Arizona Cardinals.
Not all netizens roasted Annah over her favorable post about Trump. Many users lavished praise on her, while others contended that there was no need for internet drama over it.
“Thats a good woman,” a user named Bob wrote.
“Okay [sic] ?? There is more than one political party. U don’t HAVE to vote for Kamala,” user CJ Anderson stressed.
“She’s based. Are we really still getting butthurt over people supporting Trump these days?? Even after the past 3.5 years?” another user chimed in.
Earlier this year, a similar controversy flared up after Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, liked a post from Trump on Instagram outlining the 2024 Republican Party platform.
She quickly weathered blowback over the like, but dug in and hit back at the critics.
“I mean honestly,” Mahomes wrote on Instagram in response to the hubbub. “To be a hater as an adult, you have to have some deep rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood.”
