Okay so the crossover nobody asked for but everybody needed just happened. President Donald Trump hosted the owners of Slap’s BBQ, a legendary Kansas City, Kansas barbecue spot, at the White House on Monday for a Small Business Summit. There were over 130 small business owners there. But Trump? He had one priority. Not the economy. Not a small business policy, but Patrick Mahomes.
“How’s Mahomes doing?”: Donald Trump’s question steals the show at White House Summit
Brothers Mike and Joe Pearce, who founded Slap’s BBQ, were set up at a table showing off their sauces and merch when the President came over for a look. And before anyone could talk taxes or loan rates or literally anything business related, Trump went straight to what he actually wanted to know. The whole moment was caught on camera and posted by the White House’s own communications team, so yes, this is fully official, fully real, and fully unhinged in the best way.“Most importantly, how’s Mahomes doing? You tell the people we love him. He’s going to be OK. I hate to see that. He will start Game 1 you think? He’s a fantastic guy — say hello to him for me.” — President Donald Trump, at the White House Small Business Summit
Why does Trump even care this much?
Here is the context that makes this whole thing make a little more sense. The Mahomes family has a well known connection to Trump. Brittany Mahomes has been publicly supportive, and Patrick’s mom Randi has too. Trump has spoken warmly about both of them multiple times. So when a couple of big guys from Kansas City showed up with BBQ sauce, Trump probably felt like he was one degree away from Arrowhead Stadium and had to ask. Honestly fair enough.
Here’s the latest update on Patrick Mahomes’ injury and expected return timeline.
As for the actual injury update, Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee back in December and has been rehabbing ever since. The good news is that coach Andy Reid has confirmed Mahomes is already throwing the ball and is expected to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season. So Trump got a pretty solid answer out of the Slap’s guys even if they are BBQ experts and not exactly the Chiefs medical staff.
