Only a few perfect brackets remain in March Madness 2025 as Trump delivers a headline-grabbing moment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald J. Trump had reporters laughing Friday as he joked about “backdating” a March Madness bracket during a classic exchange with Fox News’ Peter Doocy — just as millions of fans across America watched their NCAA predictions go up in smoke.
While speaking with the press on the South Lawn before departing for a weekend NCAA event, Trump briefly addressed foreign policy before pivoting to a lighter topic that resonates with millions of Americans: the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, better known as March Madness 2025.
Trump’s NCAA Moment: Relatable, Lighthearted, and Classic Trump
Doocy, never one to miss a fun opportunity, asked the former president if he had filled out a March Madness bracket this year.
PETER DOOCY: “President Trump, did you fill out an NCAA March Madness bracket?”
TRUMP (smiling): “I didn’t, I should have. Have there been upsets, a couple, right?”
DOOCY: “Too late now?”
TRUMP (laughing): “A little bit late. I should give you one, but maybe backdate it, right?”
The light exchange quickly went viral online, especially among conservative voters who appreciate Trump’s down-to-earth humor and ability to connect with average Americans — whether talking policy or college hoops.
Brackets Busted Nationwide: Only 3 Remain Perfect
If you think your March Madness bracket is wrecked — you’re not alone.
According to the NCAA, only three perfect brackets remain as of Saturday night. That’s down from 181 earlier in the day.
Here’s what happened:
- No. 4 Purdue beat No. 12 McNeese, knocking out 40 brackets.
- No. 10 Arkansas shocked fans by upsetting No. 2 St. John’s, 75-66 — eliminating a massive 118 brackets in one game.
By the evening, the last remaining perfect entries on CBS Sports, Yahoo, X (formerly Twitter), and USA Today were officially busted.
Women’s Tournament: Just 3,000 Perfect Brackets Out of 5 Million
The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is also wreaking havoc on fans’ predictions.
From roughly 5 million submitted brackets across platforms like ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, and USA Today:
- Only 83,000 survived after Round 1.
- Fewer than 3,000 brackets are still perfect going into Round 2.
Last year, only around 1,300 perfect brackets made it through to Sunday — and this year’s numbers suggest we may see even fewer.
Why March Madness Matters — Even in Politics
With the nation watching both the NCAA Tournament and developments abroad, Trump’s casual remark stood out as a reminder that even presidents can enjoy the same all-American traditions that unite us — especially during March Madness.
Whether you’re watching for the upsets or just trying to keep your bracket alive, one thing is clear: when Trump speaks, people listen — and when he jokes, America laughs.